Rodgers: I love the expectancy
Brendan Rodgers says he is thriving on the expectancy involved with being manager of Liverpool, who enter the second half of the Northern Irishman's maiden season with three fronts to fight on.
The boss has guided the Reds to ninth in the Barclays Premier League after 20 games of the campaign, while his team have reached the knockout stages of the Europa League and begin their FA Cup journey on Sunday.
And Rodgers, who celebrates his 40th birthday later this month, is confident that he can continue to improve the club and ensure his players complete the goals he set at the beginning of the season.
"I love the expectancy and challenge of making this great club great again. I believe as we grow and work more together we will improve," the manager reflected.
"This is a period of time where you have to keep your head down and work hard and give the players every chance to perform.
"The second half of the season, and in particular the last 10 games, I believe you are working to because that is the business end when things are decided.
"When you arrive at that period you want to get yourself in a good position to challenge, whether that is in the league or cup competitions.
"We can still achieve our objectives this season so when you can do that going into the second part of the season it gives you real hope."
It is seven months to the day since Fenway Sports Group unveiled the man tasked with returning Liverpool to the upper echelons of English football.
January 1 also marks the opening of the transfer window for one month - and Rodgers explained the supportive relationship that is blossoming between boss and board.
He added: "The support the club will give us will be excellent. The owners have been great and I have no complaints in terms of where we are as a club at this time."