Rodgers: Foundations have been laid
Brendan Rodgers has spoken of his pride at the steps forward Liverpool have taken in his first season at the Anfield helm – and not just on the field.
The manager believes foundations have been laid for a successful long-term future with the work that has been done at both Melwood and the Academy.
Rodgers said: "I wanted to come in and put my imprint on the culture of the club and the work ethic. This was going to be a year that was going to be a big one for us.
"We were trying to put in the foundation stones this season in order to go forward with. There has been a lot of good work that has gone on: the re-design of our Academy in terms of how we wanted to work and play; the development of our sports science and medical team in order to make the players available as often as possible; bringing in the new methodology of work and new identity to the team.
"All of these things have been great and I believe that we'll look to finish the season as strongly as we possibly can, but however we finish this season will put us in a good position for the beginning of next season.
"If we can add some more players of quality to the group, I believe we can make more strides forward next season."
Meanwhile, Rodgers is backing Steven Gerrard to continue to excel for many more years to come at Liverpool.
The captain turns 33 this summer, but the manager believes that his dedication and professionalism will ensure he's got many more seasons left at the peak of his world-class powers.
Rodgers said: "He's really professional - that gives him a great start. Steven is like clockwork - he's in here every morning very early preparing his body, eating the right foods at breakfast and preparing himself for the medical and sports science team to ensure that when he steps out and training starts, he's at his optimum level.
"He never has a lazy day. He gives 150 per cent into his training. His mindset is to learn, which helps. At 32 years of age, many players who are captains of their country, have won the trophies he has and have the iconic status he has here at Liverpool, maybe many players would rest on that.
"But he's a player that still wants to learn, wants to improve and it's a real privilege to work with someone of that quality.
"He's 32 years of age and has a number of years left in him yet - and as you saw in the game against Aston Villa, he's performing to a real high level. Let's hope he can keep that going."
Rodgers reiterated his desire to prolong Gerrard's Liverpool legacy with a new contract.
Asked whether he felt the No.8 would end his career at Anfield, the boss replied: "Yes, in my opinion. For sure.
"He said to me when I first came in that Liverpool was his club and when he retires from here one day, he'll still be a supporter of Liverpool. I've got every confidence.
"Between now and the end of the season we'll sit down and look at extending that because he's very important to the future here. That will then hopefully see him through and he can still win trophies here at Liverpool, which is important."
Gerrard was instrumental in Sunday's 2-1 victory at Aston Villa.
As well as netting the winning penalty, he also ensured Liverpool retained their lead by spectacularly clearing a Christian Benteke header off his own goalline.
Rodgers believes it was a crucial three points for his men at Villa Park.
"It was going to be important for us to bounce back because I felt up until the Southampton game we were playing with confidence and our game was at a good level," he reflected. "We let ourselves down against Southampton - we were nowhere near that level.
"In order to show it was a blip, it was going to be important in our next game that we won. We had a two-week spell where we had to wait due to the international break, but it allowed us to analyse and re-focus our mind in terms of what we needed to do in order to win the next game.
"We went out against Aston Villa and played reasonably well first half but found ourselves 1-0 down. But in the second half we got a great start after two minutes, levelled the game and then I thought after that we pretty much controlled big parts of the second half and eventually got the three points.
"The players were magnificent. We've played better in some of the games, but it was an important three points for us mentally and I was delighted for everyone."
West Ham are next up for Rodgers and co when they visit Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool prevailed against the Hammers earlier in the season with a 3-2 victory at Upton Park - and the manager is anticipating another difficult contest.
"It'll be a tough game," he said. "We played down there and it was a very close game - 3-2 - and we had to really dig deep and fight for the result.
"Big Sam [Allardyce] has done an excellent job with West Ham coming up this year. The main objective when you're coming up into the league is to consolidate your position and they've nearly done that.
"Whatever game Sam's team play in, it's always a difficult game and this week will be no different. We'll be looking to maintain our level. Our confidence and focus is good at the moment and hopefully that will continue."