Liverpool boss Rodgers hoping to gain edge with new style of play

Aug 16, 2012 8:01:00 PM

The 39-year-old believes that he can bring the Reds up the Premier League table by learning to "control and dominate games" even if they cannot compete financially with some clubs

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is hoping to gain an edge over the competition by defining a distinct style of play at the club as they look to challenge for the top four.

The former Swansea City boss is known for the way that he got his old team playing as they first earned promotion from the Championship and then finished safely in last year's Premier League, earning respect, with some comparing them to Barcelona.


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And the 39-year-old says that, while the Anfield side cannot compete financially with the clubs at the top of the table, he hopes that a different model will help them to rise up the standings.

"The top four is certainly not something we'll shy away from," Rodgers told reporters. "It's where a club of this status wants to be, but it's always easier said than done. The reality over the past three seasons or so hasn't been that.

"It's important that if you don't have the money, you have got to be different. That's the idea of trying to find a style. One of the ways in which we can hopefully gain an edge is in how we play and control and dominate games.

"I've got some wonderful players here, some world-class players, and I'm excited about the young players that are coming through. There are always ways in which you are trying to make the difference.

"Everyone wants the money but you can't always have the money. But it won't stop our hunger and desire to improve and be better, and one of the ways in which we'll look to do that is to define our model of play."

Liverpool confirmed on Thursday that they have agreed a deal to sign Heerenveen winger Oussama Assaidi, with loan moves for Cristian Tello and Nuri Sahin also thought to be possible before the end of the transfer window.

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