Rodgers: Why I'd sign Molby

The manager answered a variety of queries - all of which were submitted through the social-media website - which ranged from his footballing beliefs and ideas, to life in the city and bowls of Scouse.

Here's what he had to say...

What was your thinking behind the decision to restore the red nets at Anfield?

I am one that is very respectful of history and I always look to try and ensure the sense of the past is never forgotten. I knew the reasons behind why they were taken down [originally], but I know how much it means to the supporters to get them back up. From my memories as a youngster watching Liverpool, that was the image that stood out in my brain and so to actually see them now, I think they look great.

Privately, do you ever set yourself any targets ahead of a new season?

Yes, I do. Inwardly I have goals, of course. It's important to always look forward and set yourself targets that are realistic and achievable.

If you could sign any one player from Liverpool's history, who would it be and why?

If I could sign any one player? Well, there have been a whole raft of players that have been incredible for this football club, and I could sit here and tell you their names. The one player that stood out for me and that I used to admire is Jan Molby. I thought he was a wonderful midfield player. He controlled games, always had the courage to get on the ball, his passing range both short and long was phenomenal, and he could really dictate the rhythm and tempo of a game. Amongst the many, many wonderful players the club has had, I'd have loved the chance to have worked with him and seen that real genuine quality on a day-to-day basis.

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What are your thoughts on the NextGen Series and what are the benefits of the competition?

I think it is beneficial. For young players, youth football is about experience - and the more experiences you have, the better it is. The NextGen Series allows you as a young player to play against teams from different countries. It's an opportunity for our players at the club to play against different types of opponents and, like I said, the more experiences you have against the different teams and cultures in different countries, it will probably give you better experience and hopefully make you a better player.

Did you always want to be a manager, or did the fact your playing career ended early make you consider coaching?

Absolutely. I think everyone would love to be the player, but I never had the chance to be that and it was something that was out of my control, really. The second best thing to playing is managing or coaching. When I first started, it was purely to make a difference. I didn't set out when I was 20 to become a manager - it was to make children better, make them feel confident and make them believe that with the talents they had I could be a tool that could help them become better. As my work was recognised, I grew and grew. Then you get to a stage later on in your life when you feel you can make a difference at the professional level - and that's how it's worked out for me.

Would you encourage grassroots teams to play the way your teams do for the benefit of football in this country?

For me, there is no right or wrong way to play. When you're a professional manager, it's about winning games. I have an inherent way I like my teams to play because it's something I've studied and I know works. I also believe teams in this country can play this way. I think British players can get run down and a bad press claiming they're not technically gifted enough, but I don't believe that's the case at all - I believe there are many technical British players, but it's [about] tactically how they're asked to play the game. But I will never preach to anyone that it's the right or wrong way - it's the way we believe, and I believe, it's to be done. My job is to hopefully spread that message throughout the club so that we have teams that can control and dominate games and then ultimately at the top end, win games and trophies. That's what it is about at Liverpool. But certainly for the players in this country who are deemed technically and tactically not good enough, this way of working really helps promote and interpret that better.

Away from the pitch, how do you like Liverpool as a city?

It's been brilliant - myself and my wife and daughter love it. They've been around Liverpool One, all the shops and everything. There are many features to the city. I love the area down by the docks and there are some wonderful areas around the Wirral, Formby and the surrounding areas. I am really happy. I am happy in my professional life - the challenge becomes greater, of course, but as a starting point I have really enjoyed it. Socially, my family are very happy, so if they're happy it makes my job easier.

Have you had an opportunity to try a bowl of Scouse yet?

No! I have never been offered a bowl of Scouse! What is a bowl of Scouse? [Liverpoolfc.com explains] Aah, it sounds very much like an Irish stew. Maybe that's my next challenge, then - to have a bowl of Scouse. Hopefully I'll get that soon.

What do you like to do to relax in your spare time?

I'm quite boring really and quite simple. I don't have the patience to play golf anymore, but I used to enjoy it. I suppose I just like to try and close myself off for a few hours. I can never totally close myself off from football - football is always there and when you're a manager at one of the leading clubs, you're always thinking, preparing and looking at the next thing that can improve you and make you better. I like the simple things in life - I like to have a walk with the dogs and spend some time with my wife and kids. I'm a grandfather as well, believe it or not, so I like to spend as much time as I can with him.

Finally, if you could sign one London 2012 Olympian for your team, who would it be and why?

There are many greats Olympians and I think the team and the work they delivered was incredible, but I think Bradley Wiggins would be the one I would choose for two simple reasons. Firstly, to win after winning is very, very difficult and this is a guy who won the Tour de France. He was at the top, probably elated and [also] suffered. Only a week or so later, in his first race he did it for the team - I could see he was getting the water bottles from the side to help his teammates try and achieve gold. They unfortunately didn't, but it showed he was a team player. In the next race, he won the gold. As I said, to win after winning is very, very difficult, but it also shows you the level of mentality and consistency he has. To have someone like that in my group is important. Secondly, I believe he's a Liverpool supporter, so I like to have people with Liverpool in their heart. If they have Liverpool in their heart, you can probably squeeze that extra one per cent out of them.