Despite the majority of the fans losing confidence in him, Brendan Rodgers is looking at the glass half full.
A string of poor performances including a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of West Ham at Anfield, a 3-1 spanking by Manchester United and a nervy penalty shoot-out win against Carlisle has left Rodgers’ job security in doubt again.
The Northern Irishman faced a bombardment of tough questions at the press conference ahead of Saturday’s match against Aston Villa, mainly about his future at the club.
“I know we need to get results and I embrace that challenge. I’m a much better manager than three years ago.”
Rodgers implored the fans to remain patient with Liverpool, and that they will gather momentum with a couple of positive results.
“The message (to fans) is to stay with the team. It only takes a couple of results. One win and you’re back in the top four.”
“We have created that expectancy. How do I block it out? I focus very much on the team. I don’t worry about myself.”
When pressed specifically on his future, Rodgers explained that he hasn’t lost sleep over any of the sacking rumours.
“I‘m never complacent enough to think (my position won’t be under threat). It doesn’t frighten me.”
“That’s what drives a manager on – that fear, positive fear. But it doesn’t frighten me. I’ve got an inherent belief in what I do but I don’t shy away from the fact that you need to get results and be performing well to try and stay and work.”
“I don’t think it (the pressure) goes away unless you’re winning games but I know that we’ve created that expectancy because of how we’ve worked. I expect to be a manager for the next 20 years. That might not all be here.”
It almost sounds like he went out of his way to avoid calling the ordeal a character-building experience.
