Dirk Kuyt Backs Brendan Rodgers To Succeed At Liverpool

Dirk Kuyt has backed Brendan Rodgers to be a success at Liverpool, even though he will play no part in the new manager's team at Anfield. The Holland forward has joined Fenerbahce on a three-year deal after finding his first-team opportunities limited last season, ending his six-year stay on Merseyside.

"I think it's great for the club that they have finally announced the new manager," Kuyt told Liverpool's official website. "From what I have heard from [Swansea goalkeeper] Michel Vorm, who is with me in the national team, he is a great manager and he told me he will be perfect for Liverpool and he will definitely lift the club up to a higher state."

Kuyt insisted the appointment of Rodgers was not a factor in his decision to leave. He said: "I just had the feeling that I had to go somewhere else for a new experience after six years. It's not about the new manager. I have great memories from my experience with the club.

"I'm sure Liverpool will improve under the new manager. Liverpool has a great squad of players and I'm sure with this manager they will do well. From the bottom of my heart I wish them all the best, wish the new manager all the best and I hope they will be very successful."

Kuyt, who had a year to run on his Anfield contract, invoked a get-out clause in his contract after a season in which he scored just two Premier League goals. Fenerbahce offered the prospect of Champions League football next season, something not available at Anfield.

"It's a great new experience," said Kuyt. "I had interest from several clubs in Europe and once Fenerbahce came in for me, with the ambition they have as a club, and also by showing how much they wanted me, for me it was an easy decision to make."

Kuyt leaves Liverpool having won just one trophy in six seasons, the Carling Cup last season, when he scored in the penalty shoot-out win over Cardiff. Overall, the Dutchman scored 71 goals in 285 games for the Anfield club.

Rodgers Eyes Gylfi Raid

New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted he is ready to steal Gylfi Sigurdsson from under the noses of former club Swansea.

Swansea are close to securing the signing of Sigurdsson, who impressed on loan last season, after agreeing a fee with Hoffenheim and personal terms with the player.

However, Sigurdsson has yet to put pen-to-paper on a deal with Swansea alerting Rodgers to make a move to bring the Icelandic international to Anfield.

As part of Rodgers' move to Liverpool, Swansea has agreed a deal whereby the Reds cannot sign any Swansea players in the next 12 months, but the same does not apply to Sigurdsson.

Rodgers admits that he will allow Sigurdsson to speak to Swansea first, but that if he becomes available he will try to lure him to Merseyside.

While Rodgers fully respects Swansea's wish to conclude a deal, he says he feels compelled to pursue a player whose career has flourished under his charge.

"If he [Sigurdsson] comes onto the market, I have to be interested," said Rodgers

"His initial chat has to be with Swansea, because he had a good period there.

"I said when I had the chat with the chairman (Huw Jenkins) the other day, when I told him I was going to go to Liverpool, that Gylfi came to Swansea because I was there as manager.

"I said to Huw if I speak to the kid I'll tell him to make sure he certainly comes down and speaks to the new (Swansea) manager, whoever that is, and that if he's still not comfortable with that, he's in the marketplace then - and then I have to look at him."

Liverpool Must Cough Up £20m For Ramirez

Bologna has put a price tag of over £20million on coveted playmaker Gaston Ramirez, according to the player's agent.

The Uruguay international has been strongly linked with a move away from Bologna this summer and is a reported target of top European clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool and Juventus.

'Bologna wants 25m Euros (£20.2m) for Ramirez but an agreement can be found,' said Ramirez's agent Pablo Betancourt to www.fcinternews.it.

'It is obvious that Bologna would do well from his sale. They would receive 70% whilst 30% would go to (Ramirez's former club) Penarol, as previously agreed.

'German club Wolfsburg has offered 15-18m Euros for Ramirez whilst Zenit St Petersburg have expressed an interest.

'With Liverpool, however, the situation is at a standstill because the Reds are just choosing their coach.'

The 21-year-old Ramirez joined Bologna from Penarol in 2010 and scored eight goals in 33 league appearances this season to help the Rossoblu finish ninth in Serie A.

'Gaston is a very young player and he has done well in Italy,' said Betancourt. 'It is normal that many clubs now want him.

'We must meet with Bologna to understand his situation - there are offers for him and we must see what Bologna wants to do.'

Ramirez is under contract with Bologna until June 2016.

Rodgers Prepares Move For Everton Midfielder

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly ready to make a contentious bid for Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini as he looks to add more quality to an Anfield squad that fell further off the top four race last term.

The Merseyside club secured their third successive season without Champions League football last term, leading to the sacking of manager Kenny Dalglish, and his Northern Irish replacement has been charged with the responsibility of improving his playing staff in the pursuit of closing the 17 point gap between their eight place finish and a top four finish.

Rodgers has begun the search for possible additions to his Liverpool squad and has earmarked a move for Belgian international Marouane Fellaini who the former Swansea City boss may feel could be purchased in light of Everton’s protracted financial woes. The former Standard Liege man has been linked with a Goodison Park exit this summer after a solid season in the Toffees midfield last term.

The 24 year old has just completed his fourth season at Everton but has seen David Moyes’s side seemingly reach an impasse due to the club’s inability to improve their squad due to financial constraints that invariably leads to their top talents being consistently linked with moves away.

Rodgers may well feel that Liverpool need more quality added to their midfield and Fellaini’s ability to fulfill dual tasks in that regard make him a very tempting prospect. The powerfully built Everton man offers the tough tackling robust qualities of a defensive midfielder whilst also being able to provide the goal threat and assist making attributes of an attacking midfielder.

Liverpool suffered greatly without injured Brazilian Lucas for more than half of last season, having to turn to inexperienced local born midfielder Jay Spearing, and Rodgers may see Fellaini as a player who can offer added bite when needed. The fact that the likes of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam both failed to make a consistent impact since their summer moves from Sunderland and Blackpool respectively, may lead the incoming manager to surmise that reinforcements are needed.

Clearly a move from Everton to their local rivals would be a contentious one to consider but if Fellaini felt that the Anfield side had a team in place; a combination of solid financial investment from the club’s American owners coupled with a forward thinking young well respected manager like Brendan Rodgers, to help Liverpool to regain their place as a genuine title chasing outfit then it may be a move the 6ft 4in midfielder would be ready to consider.

Liverpool Spending Spree To Include Joe Allen And Clint Dempsey

New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has reportedly identified a host of targets for a summer spending spree that will get his Anfield reign off to an exciting start.

The Northern Irishman is ready to return to former club Swansea in order to bring in Joe Allen for £10 million, while Gylfi Sigurdsson - whom he had on loan at the Liberty Stadium last season - is a £6 million target.

Another player Rodgers is keen to lure to Merseyside is Fulham's Clint Dempsey, who is worth approximately £4 million.

However, Dempsey has been linked to a string of clubs, including Arsenal, this summer with his deal at Craven Cottage having just a year left to run, so the Reds are likely to face stiff competition for his signature.

The Daily Star suggested Rodgers has been given £20 million by the Liverpool board to bring in his top three targets.

He freed up some space in his squad by allowing Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt to leave Anfield after six years in order to join Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

There are sure to be more arrivals and departures as Rodgers bids to revive Liverpool's fortunes following a season in which they finished eighth in the Premier League, 39 points behind champions Manchester City.

Liverpool Attacker Leaves Club After Six Years At Anfield

Liverpool attacker Dirk Kuyt has completed a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce after six years at Anfield.

As reported by BBC Sport, the Dutchman, who joined Liverpool from Feyenoord in 2006, has signed a three-year deal which could take him to the end of his career.

Kuyt, who made over 250 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 71 times, had become a fan favourite at Anfield, but found his first team opportunities limited last season, with then-club boss Kenny Dalglish opting to play Jordan Henderson instead.

The 31 year-old was told earlier in the season that he was free to look for a new club, after being informed that he didn’t feature in Liverpool’s long-term plans.

There had been speculation linking him with a return to Feyenoord, as well as a lucrative move to Serie A with Fiorentina. However, it is Turkish giants Fenerbahce who have won the race for Kuyt’s signature.

Despite his six years on Merseyside, Kuyt won only one trophy, this year’s Carling Cup, in which he came on as a substitute and scored late on.

Injury Woes Anger Gerrard

England skipper Steven Gerrard has spoken of his anger at seeing England's Euro 2012 preparations disrupted by a spate of untimely injuries.

Since naming his 23-man squad for this summer's European Championship, Roy Hodgson's pre-tournament plans have been rocked by regular withdrawals.

Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy was the first to fall, after earning his first senior call-up, and Gareth Barry limped out of a friendly outing against Norway.

Hodgson's midfield options were then further depleted when the vastly-experienced Frank Lampard picked up a thigh injury in training.

England headed into their final warm-up match against Belgium on Saturday hoping to avoid any more scares, but saw Gary Cahill suffered a double fracture to his jaw after colliding with Joe Hart.

All of those forced to pull out have been replaced, but Gerrard admits their presence will be missed in Poland and Ukraine.

He said: "Losing Gary is a massive blow. His performances in the last six months have been colossal for Chelsea.

"He was a colossus in the Champions League final win over Bayern Munich. We needed him.

"I am angry because we have lost some big players with a tournament eight or nine days away.

"That's the blow and that's the price you pay for these warm-up games.

"To do well in these tournaments you have to have your big players and to lose Gary is another huge blow on the back of Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry."

But, as regards the challenge by Dries Mertens which led to Cahill being ruled out, Gerrard said: "I don't think you can blame the guy because he was itching to score a goal.

"Maybe he got carried away but I don't think you can put any blame on the kid."

Kelly Gets England Call

Martin Kelly has been called into the England squad for Euro 2012 after the withdrawal through injury of Gary Cahill.

Chelsea defender Cahill has been ruled-out after suffering two fractures of his jaw, during Saturday's win over Belgium.

Kelly will become the sixth Liverpool player in the squad alongside Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard, Stewart Downing, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson in Roy Hodgson's party.

A statement on the FA website read: "Liverpool defender Martin Kelly will be called into the squad – subject to agreement from UEFA's medical team."

After Liverpool, Manchester United has the second biggest representation in the squad with four players.

Bellamy: I'm In Olympic Squad

Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy has revealed he will be in the Great Britain squad for the Olympics, according to reports.

There are three overage slots available in Stuart Pearce's Team GB squad for the London Olympics later this summer.

And Bellamy claims to have been told he is in line to fill one of those places.

The 32-year-old told The Sun: "I am in the Olympic squad - but I was supposed to keep it quiet.

"It's a different challenge. I had a difficult season with Liverpool but the Olympics is a one-off."

Pearce is set to name his 18-man squad later this week with veterans Ryan Giggs and David Beckham both in contention to join Bellamy in the Olympic squad.

Rodgers Named Reds Boss

Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Brendan Rodgers, with John W Henry calling for the new manager to be given time at the helm.

Rodgers leaves Swansea to take over at Anfield as the replacement to the sacked Kenny Dalglish following the club legend's departure in May.

The Northern Irishman has built a reputation for exciting attacking football during his time with the Swans as he guided them to promotion via the Championship play-offs before establishing the Liberty Stadium club in the top-flight against the odds.

He inherits a side battling to regain their place in the upper reaches of the Premier League table following last season's miserable eighth-place finish.

The 39-year-old was unveiled at Anfield on Friday morning after emerging as the leading candidate in Liverpool's appointment process, with the club having also spoken to Wigan boss Roberto Martinez.

Rodgers told the club's official website: "I'm blessed to be given this opportunity. I want to thank John Henry, Tom Werner and FSG for the opportunity to manage such a great club.

"I'm really excited and I can't wait to get started on this incredible project going forward.

"I promise to dedicate my life to fight for this club and defend the great principles of Liverpool Football Club on and off the field."

Principle owner Henry of Fenway Sports Group insisted that the new man at the helm needed to be given time to build for the future at Anfield.

"Fenway Sports Group is committed to building for the long-term. Brendan Rodgers' appointment today as manager of Liverpool Football Club is one of the most important steps we will take in building the kind of club on and off the pitch supporters can be excited about," Henry said.

"Brendan's comprehensive football philosophy is perfectly aligned with those at the club and those soon to join the club. He was the first choice unanimously among them and he had no hesitation at all in embracing exactly what we want to try to build at Liverpool.

"We do not expect miracles overnight nor should anyone else. But we firmly believe that the direction the club is heading in will lead to Premier League championships.

"We will embrace the unconventional, build the right way and together set a bold, exciting course for this historic club."

Rodgers To Relieve Pressure

New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers claims he wants to take the pressure off his players and heap it on the Anfield opposition.

Rodgers was appointed as Kenny Dalglish's replacement on Friday and is tasked with making Anfield an intimidating venue again next season.

Liverpool endured a difficult campaign in front of their own fans, winning just six of their 19 home league games in 2011-12.

It has proven a challenge for the likes of Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll who have been saddled with the pressure of huge transfer fees.

But Rodgers has offered Carroll his support and revealed his intention to relieve the weight of expectation on everyone at the club.

The 39-year-old said: "He came here for an awful lot of money and he's still very young, but I don't think anyone would have argued, when he did terrifically well at Newcastle.

"But when you come to a club like this the shirt weighs much heavier than any other. The expectation - and the weight of expectation - is phenomenal.

"My job next year is to try to lift some of that weight off the shirt. I'll take the pressure.

"The players can just focus on performing and if you do that you will get the result eight or nine times out of 10 because of talent.

"That will be the same for Andy and any other player. Then we'll take time to review where we're at and look forward."

Rodgers knows what an intimidating place Anfield can be having had mixed fortunes there with visiting teams in the past.

His Swansea side secured a goalless draw at Liverpool in November, while he was also a part of the Chelsea backroom staff when the Reds beat them there in a UEFA Champions League semi-final in 2005.

"I want to use the incredible support to make coming to Anfield the longest 90 minutes of an opponent's life," said Rodgers.

"I want to see great attacking football with creativity and imagination, with relentless pressing of the ball.

"I know what it's like, because I had a team like that at Swansea.

"That was with a terrific little club and a terrific group of players. When people came to Swansea, it was probably the longest 90 minutes of their lives.

"So after 10 minutes, when they haven't had a touch of the ball, they are looking at the clock and seeing only 10 minutes gone. It's a long afternoon."

He added: "The Chelsea players said they had never experienced support like it.

"That was ultimately what won the game and that is what I want to do here.

"When I came as a manager with Swansea, it was a really proud moment. To play well and then get a standing ovation meant a lot. It was a great honour."

Group Work Vital To Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers admits he sought assurances that no director of football would be appointed alongside him before taking the reins at Liverpool.

The Reds officially unveiled their new manager on Friday, with Rodgers having been lured away from Premier League rivals Swansea.

He is the man charged with the task of returning the Merseyside outfit to the top of the domestic game and back into the UEFA Champions League elite.

A successful spell at the Liberty Stadium convinced the Anfield board that he was the right man for the job, with his philosophies matching those of a club steeped in trophy-winning history.

Rodgers has, however, made it clear to the Liverpool hierarchy that he wants to do things his own way - and the Reds have agreed that they will not be looking for a successor to Damien Comolli, who left his role as director of football in April.

"That was one of the issues that I brought up when I was speaking with the club, that I wouldn't work directly with someone in that role," said Rodgers.

"I work best around a group of people. It's about a group of people when you come to a big club, you can't do it on your own.

"Of course there has to be leadership but, for me, if it was a sporting director or director of football, which was something I made quite clear that I couldn't work with.

"What you need at a football club is an outstanding recruitment team, an outstanding medical team, sports science team, player liaison.

"These are all people that will come into the group and then we will form as a football club a technical board, as most clubs do. There will be four or five people around that group who will decide the way forward."

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre claims the club were happy to meet Rodgers' demands.

He said: "The structure really is to - Brendan is aware of this and it was part of that process of finding the person that fits - is a more continental director of football type structure, where you have got a collaborative group of people working around the football area.

"We don't envisage at this point of time having a director of football per se, but having a group of people who will work collaboratively with Brendan to deliver the football side of it."

Rodgers Will Have Time

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner insists that new manager Brendan Rodgers will be given time to bring success back to Anfield.

Rodgers became Liverpool's fourth manager in just two years when he was appointed as Kenny Dalglish's successor on Friday.

That represents a period of unprecedented upheaval for a club that had just eight managers in the previous 50 years.

But Werner is sure Liverpool will not be looking for a new manager again for some time to come.

"We have a great confidence in Brendan," he told the club's official website.

"We don't expect immediate results overnight, we expect steady improvement. He is going to be implementing a new tact for the team.

"It may take a little time to implement that but we are very confident that he will bring us the success that we all are looking for."

Dalglish was sacked last month after a disappointing Premier League campaign despite winning the Carling Cup and reaching the FA Cup final.

And Werner is keen to thank the Liverpool legend for his help in guiding the club through a difficult time on and off the field.

"I want to pay a great debt of thanks to Kenny," he added.

"Kenny is the heart and soul of this club, he provided us with great stability at a time when we needed it and so I want to pay tribute to a man who I consider to be a great football player and a great friend."

Although Werner admits things won't change overnight, he remains highly ambitious.

He added: "When we came in our goal was to be the best team in England, not just the top four, to compete with the best teams in Europe.

"We believe that Brendan's philosophy and his tactics will bring us there.

"We have no set target for when to do that, we've always looked for slow and measured improvement and we believe that we will be more successful going forward, not just this year but in the future."

Ayre - We Got Our Man

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre is adamant the Reds got the manager they wanted in Brendan Rodgers, insisting the ex-Swansea boss was the only candidate they made an offer to.

The club's search for Kenny Dalglish's successor attracted criticism from some quarters for being too wide-ranging, but Ayre was satisfied with how they dealt with filling the vacancy after Rodgers was unveiled on Friday.

The managing director admits many candidates were considered but says the Northern Irishman was always Liverpool's first choice.

He said: "There was a process and it was right to have a process. Brendan was at the forefront of that thinking, evidenced by the fact we asked Swansea very early on.

"He was the only person we made an offer to. We got the person we wanted."

Ayre added: "The process is a private process (but) it's fair to say we considered many people because that's what you should do. You try to understand how any individual fits with the profile."

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was another to have held talks with Liverpool before they plumped for Rodgers.

Ayre said: "Roberto was one of the people in that process. We went through that with a lot of people.

"Some people decided to say they were in the process but they weren't. It was all about understanding individuals and matching their skill-sets with the profile.

"Brendan was at the forefront of that and at the outcome of it and that was exactly what we wanted."

Before Swansea, 39-year-old Rodgers managed at Watford and Reading, while he also spent time as Chelsea's youth team coach after being appointed by former boss Jose Mourinho.

Ayre feels his experience could be key, adding on Liverpool's official website: "When you meet Brendan you can't help but be inspired by his knowledge, passion and vision for the game.

"The experience he has for such a young age shows we are getting someone at the very top of their profession.

"He and our owners both have a clear plan of how to bring success on the pitch and he will have the full support of everyone at Liverpool Football Club while he strives to achieve that."

Werner - Rodgers Is Perfect Fit

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has branded new manager Brendan Rodgers the 'perfect person' to take the club forward.

The Reds officially unveiled Rodgers as Kenny Dalglish's successor on Friday morning after securing the manager from Swansea.

The Northern Irish boss impressed while at the helm of the Swans; guiding them into the Premier League and earning plaudits for establishing a brand of attractive attacking football.

Werner believes Rodgers' achievements with the Welsh club, as well as his time spent abroad studying coaching at clubs such as Barcelona, makes him the ideal man to take over as the Reds look to re-establish themselves as a dominant force in the top-flight.

The American chairman said: "In Brendan we have acquired a very exciting and talented and young manager.

"He's a forward-thinking coach at the forefront of a generation of young managers and will bring to Liverpool attacking, relentless football."

He added on Liverpool's official website: "The style of football Brendan is associated with is exactly what we want to see at Anfield.

"Aggressive, attacking play; Swansea were a revelation last season with their brand of entertaining football.

"But it's not just what he has achieved in the last two years that has impressed us; he has dedicated his career to coaching, has studied the game all over Europe and he is the perfect person to take this club forward."

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was previously thought to a frontrunner for the Reds job and Latics chairman Dave Whelan claimed earlier this week it was the Spaniard, not Rodgers, who was originally Liverpool's first choice.

However, Rodgers has insisted he was always their preferred target and Werner has reinforced his claim.

The chairman added: "We did speak to a number of people in the last few weeks, but I want to say Brendan was the only person we made an offer to. He was our first choice and the right choice."

Rodgers Keen On Loan Stars

Brendan Rodgers has indicated he will speak to Liverpool's forgotten stars Joe Cole and Alberto Aquilani before deciding on their future.

Rodgers was appointed as the Reds' new manager on Friday and is already running the rule over the talent at his disposal at Anfield.

Cole spent the season on loan at French club Lille, while Aquilani returned to his native Italy with AC Milan.

Both men have two years remaining on their contracts with Liverpool and Rodgers has suggested he is an admirer of their abilities.

"They're certainly talented players," he told the club's official website.

"I know Joe well from my time at Chelsea (as part of the backroom staff). He's a wonderful talent."

Even if Rodgers would like to reintroduce the players to the squad, he accepts that could be a problem if the footballer in question does not want to be there.

"The boy Aquilani is a wonderful talent and a terrific player but he might not be able to settle," he added.

"He might not be able to adapt to the country so you've got all those issues and sometimes you're not aware of that until you sit down and speak to the people."

Swansea Set Reds 12-Month Embargo

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has revealed an agreement is in place to stop newly-appointed Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers signing players from his former club for 12 months.

“We have got some protection on Brendan coming back for our players in the initial period, which I think is the right thing,” Jenkins told Talksport. “He has got a timescale to assess things there and that is going to take him a while, so I’ve no worries there.”

Jenkins admitted disappointment at losing Rodgers, who guided the Swans to the Premier League and then to 11th in the top flight last term. “We are obviously very, very disappointed that we lost Brendan but things move on,” he said. “When we had Brendan working with us we wanted him for some years to come, but everyone has ambition and sometimes that ambition has to be realized.”

Juan Manuel Vargas In Dirk Kuyt Swap Deal

Dirk Kuyt's imminent exit from Liverpool could be as part of a swap deal with Fiorentina for Juan Manuel Vargas.

The Serie A club is determined to land Kuyt during the summer transfer window, but face strong competition from Hamburg for his signature.

A clause in the Dutchman's contract means he can leave Anfield for just £1million, but Fiorentina apparently have another idea in mind.

Reports in the Italian press claimed they are willing to take Kuyt as part-payment for the £12million-rated Vargas.

The Peruvian wing-back has been on the Reds' radar for the past year, but the departures of Damien Comolli and Kenny Dalglish mean it is not clear whether he remains a target.

Fiorentina seemingly now plan to find out whether new Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is interested in the 28-year-old by proposing a swap deal.

Vargas was watched by Arsenal and Manchester United ahead of the January transfer window, but neither club followed up their interest with a bid after discovering the asking price.

Reds Agree Rodgers Fee

Sky Sports sources understand that Liverpool have agreed a compensation fee with Swansea for Brendan Rodgers and three of his backroom staff.

The Anfield outfit now look to have removed the final obstacle in their search for a new boss with confirmation of Rodgers' appointment on a three-year deal expected to follow.

The Northern Irishman emerged as the leading candidate for the Merseyside vacancy in recent days after initially rejecting the opportunity to discuss the post.

Kenny Dalglish was sacked by the club's American owners, Fenway Sports Group, just over two weeks ago after overseeing a mixed season for the club.

Liverpool added silverware to their trophy cabinet in the shape of the Carling Cup and also reached the FA Cup final, but a dismal performance in the Premier League, where they finished in eighth and 37 points adrift of champions Manchester City, led to Dalglish's departure.

Rodgers has earned widespread plaudits for the style of play he has introduced with Swansea, having been appointed at the Liberty Stadium in July 2010.

The former Watford and Reading boss guided the Swans into the top-flight via the Championship play-offs and then established the Welsh club in the top-flight with an attractive brand of football.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez had also held talks with Reds owner John W Henry before being usurped in the race for the hot-seat by his Premier League rival.

John Barnes Says Brendan Rodgers Will Need Time

John Barnes believes Brendan Rodgers will need time and support if he becomes the new Liverpool manager.

The Liverpool legend has no doubt about Rodgers' ability, but has warned the Anfield faithful they will need to show some patience.

"As far as I am concerned Brendan Rodgers is an outstanding young manager," said Barnes.

Swansea City and Liverpool are in discussions about a compensation package for Rodgers.

The 39-year-old will sign a three-year contract at Anfield and his appointment is likely to be officially confirmed within 24 hours.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins confirmed his club and Liverpool are negotiating a compensation package - expected to amount to between £4m and £5m - with Swansea to secure Rodgers' services.

Barnes admitted Rodgers may not have the experience or be the "big-name" appointment that Liverpool supporters were hoping for.

"I think he plays in a very modern and comprehensive way and you can see what he has done at Swansea," said Barnes.

"Of course, [Roberto] Martinez may have started that and he was spoken about and would have been an excellent choice also.

"I think Brendan will do well if people support him. All he needs is to be given time and support.

"The problem that he will have is his inexperience and [that he] is not a big name and hasn't been around for a period of time [so] fans can say he doesn't have the experience.

"For me, it is not important at all. What is important is the quality that he actually has.

"I hope the Liverpool fans get behind him and back him because I think he is a very good manager."

Liverpool sacked manager Kenny Dalglish on 16 May after finishing eighth in the Premier League.

The Reds were 17 points away from a Champions League qualification spot, but won the League Cup and reached the FA Cup final.

Northern Irishman Rodgers guided his Swansea side to an impressive first season in the top flight, including a 1-0 win over Liverpool on the final day of the season.

After parting ways with Dalglish, Liverpool embarked on an extensive search for a new manager.

The Reds were linked not only with Rodgers and Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, but also former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, ex-England coach Fabio Capello, and Ajax manager Frank de Boer.

Rodgers initially declined the opportunity to speak to Liverpool about the vacancy and instead the club's hierarchy sought a meeting with Wigan's Martinez.

Rodgers's managerial career began at Watford in 2008 after coaching spells at Reading and Chelsea.

His return to Reading was an unhappy one but, after his appointment as Swansea boss in July 2010, Rodgers guided his Welsh side to promotion to the top flight in May 2011, making Swansea the first Welsh team to reach the Premier League.