Rodgers: We're in a good moment

The Reds signed off from their final friendly of the summer with a comprehensive victory as goals from Raheem Sterling, Lucas Leiva and Andy Carroll ensured Sami Hyypia's first return to Merseyside as an opposing manager ended in defeat.

It was Rodgers' final chance to assess his players in match action ahead of next Saturday's trip to West Bromwich Albion, and he's delighted with how the squad have geared up for the campaign over the last two months.

"I thought the players were excellent today, especially on the back of a competitive game on Thursday," the boss told his post-match press conference.

"I am very pleased. I see the idea of the team improving each time we play and in a very, very short period of time the players have taken on board that tactical concept of controlling and dominating the game.

"Last time they were out, Bayer Leverkusen won 7-1 against Frankfurt, so for us to play with that control and domination against a very good side was excellent.

"We arrive into next week with a clean bill of health, everyone is training, and they are really embracing the work and it's great to see."

Rodgers added: "Certainly, I am very, very pleased with where we're at. The players have shown great determination and they want to learn. They're very happy to work in this way.

"I am delighted with where we're at because I know the vision and where this leads too, and hopefully it will continue to improve."

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Liverpool took the lead inside two minutes against their German visitors when Sterling latched onto a pass from Jose Enrique and skipped beyond two Leverkusen defenders before curling an effort into the bottom corner.

It was a goal that left Rodgers satisfied in more ways than one - and the manager believes he's witnessed the 17-year-old winger mature over the last few weeks.

"I was pleased with the goal as a whole," he explained. "If you look back at the images of it, it was good pressure on one side of the field when we won the ball and took it out of the pressure zone.

"I like wingers to play with width, and by the time the ball got to Jose Enrique, he (Sterling) was in a great position.

"His movement off the ball was very impressive - he's made a great run and Jose played a terrific pass, and the rest was that imagination and creativity that I love when he cut inside and scored with a wonderful finish.

"The boy is a talent. He still has an awful lot to do and an awful lot to learn, but he's shown over pre-season that from a young guy who just worries about himself, he now worries about the team and the responsibility within the team."

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Lucas added Liverpool's second soon after, sweeping home into an empty net after Leverkusen made a mess of trying to deal with a free-kick.

Rodgers feels the goal was just rewards for the hard work the Brazilian has been putting in as he continues his quest to regain full fitness following injury.

He said: "He has been brilliant. He is a terrific guy and he is prolific from seven yards with no goalkeeper!

"You have seen the growth of him as a player and a person, and the journey he's been on at this club is incredible. He still feels he has a lot to offer. How I work in liking to play this high, intense pressing and passing game brings on his fitness.

"I think if you look at him now, he is in a real good moment. Hopefully he can stay fit and strong and keep pushing on for us."

Carroll wrapped up the scoring late on, powering home from the edge of the box after a piece of nimble footwork created a shooting opportunity following a free-flowing Reds move.

Rodgers said: "It was a terrific goal from him. It was a nice, clever piece of play by Charlie Adam as the ball came into him and he flicked it around the corner.

"Maybe eight or nine times out of 10 he would have expected that (the ball) back, but big Andy showed his skill and ability as well.

"He's got stick that he can't play this way, but it was a wonderful piece of skill letting the ball go through his legs, getting the shot on target and tucking the ball away very well. It was very pleasing all round.

"The players had a wonderful idea of the game tactically and I am seeing an improvement every single day in terms of our passing game."

On a pleasing afternoon for Rodgers, new Liverpool signing Joe Allen watched the game from the directors' box and the gaffer admits he's looking forward to implementing the midfielder into his plans.

"Joe will fit into the group very well," said the Northern Irishman. "I like technically gifted players, and he is exceptionally technically gifted.

"But I also like good people and he is a very humble young guy. He knows he is 22 years of age and has an awful lot to learn, but he will be with us every single day in the journey to make this club better.

"He is a very talented boy and he comes into an excellent group. Hopefully we can add one or two more before the end of the window."

With the start of the Barclays Premier League now just six days away, journalists were keen to quiz Rodgers on how he feels ahead of the big kick off a little more than two months on from being appointed Liverpool boss.

He replied: "I will never be complacent. I've got so much to prove here. I have got to fight for my life to prove I am good enough to be here. I feel comfortable in relation to my position and work on the field. My promise was to fight for the club every single day.

"We're in a good moment and a good position. We've had a terrific pre-season and we've already started our competitive games in the Europa League. We now arrive into the Barclays Premier League next week with a real strong mindset and hopefully that can continue."