Column: Henry Winter on Brendan Rodgers

Every aspect of the Reds' transition from a side that finished seventh to one in contention for the Barclays Premier League title was scrutinised meticulously over the course of a ground-breaking campaign.

Nowhere more so than in the national media, where the club's return to the Champions League for the first time in five years, prompted by a stunning 11-game run of victories, filled endless column inches and provided plenty of back-page headlines.

In a new series, Liverpoolfc.com will review an unforgettable season with a handful of the country's leading journalists - and today we begin with Henry Winter, football correspondent at the Daily Telegraph, who tells of his admiration for the man at the very heart of the club's progress...

Liverpool's renaissance under Brendan Rodgers was confirmed by his winning LMA Manager of the Year, in Luis Suarez being named the PFA and FWA Player of the Year and the adrenalin rush felt by fans on matchday.

All the frustration at what befell Liverpool over the final furlongs of the Premier League title race cannot dash the sense of optimism around Anfield.

It is far too early to compare Rodgers with some of the club's managerial greats but he does possess qualities that echo the traits of others who have overseen team operations from that cramped home dug-out, confirming that Liverpool are in good hands, that a famous history is about to be further enhanced.

Liverpool fans swiftly took to the relentlessly positive Northern Irishman. Any scepticism about Rodgers outside the city was dispelled as the season progressed, as the intoxicating quality of Liverpool's football lit up a nation's screens.

Rodgers has made a powerful impression on English football on and off the pitch. He represents the club with dignity.

His primary responsibility to the Kop and his Fenway Sports Group employers is, of course, the accumulation of Premier League points and he exceeded expectations this season. Liverpool kept winning, kept going on strong runs, kept batting away good sides. They reached 84 points, 23 more than last year. Liverpool are on the up under Rodgers.

Liverpool not only won 26 games. They won in style, scoring 101 goals. Many were memorable: Jon Flanagan's thumping finish against Spurs, Raheem Sterling's composure to beat Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart against Manchester City, Daniel Sturridge's flighted finish against West Brom and most of Suarez's strikes against Norwich City. So many.

Rodgers is building something special at Liverpool, building a side of great attacking variety. Liverpool can mix it up, short and long, deliberate and devastating. Steven Gerrard has always had versatile qualities and he has taken to this deep-lying midfield general role adeptly. His phenomenal passing range means he can unleash attacks, using the pace of Sterling to menacing effect.

Jordan Henderson has been a revelation alongside Gerrard, clearly believing in himself fully, responding to Rodgers' words that if he delivered at Melwood, he could get a chance at Anfield.

When Sturridge arrived, he was greeted with a warm welcome and a challenge from Rodgers. This was probably the striker's 'last chance', the manager said. It was time for all that potential to be turned into productive reality. Rodgers would provide Sturridge with a stage and it was up to him to perform. Sturridge certainly has done, dovetailing dynamically with Suarez and also working well when the Uruguayan was absent.

Sterling has been one of the players of the season, and it is with this young English flier that Rodgers' alchemist qualities are probably seen most thrillingly. In a few games, notably against City at home, Rodgers placed the winger at the tip of a diamond and he responded with some of his best performances.

Who says English players are one-dimensional? Sterling showed he could accept responsibility and understand sophisticated game-plans.

Rodgers had signalled earlier in the season his belief in native talent. At one of his weekly briefings at Melwood, he launched into an illuminating critique of what was wrong with the British coaching structure. He argued that there was plenty of local talent around; these kids just needed people to believe in them and to unleash them. He did with Sterling and Liverpool - and England - have benefited.

Rodgers makes good players better; he deepens their confidence, banishes any self-doubt and extends their capabilities. Philippe Coutinho has developed under Rodgers, having even more impact on games. Joe Allen has developed. So has 21-year-old Flanagan, a right-back playing happily at left-back. So versatile; again reflecting the manager's mind-set.

Rodgers does not pigeonhole English players; he will use them in different positions. He sees them as lions who can become Lahms. Flanagan played 22 games in the Premier League, showing he belongs at this level and being rewarded with a call into the England stand-by party for the World Cup.

Rodgers' uplifting influence can be seen in the work of all the players this season and especially in Suarez. Many have helped the Uruguayan over the past year on and off the pitch. Rodgers played a key role, talking to the striker of what an even greater icon he could become at Anfield if the stayed and helped Liverpool into the Champions League. He has shaped the team to bring the best out of Suarez.

Rodgers challenges players to be the best, and Suarez responded with the best season of his career. The players voted him the No.1 player in the land. So did the football writers.

Talking about Suarez in a side-room of the Grosvenor House Hotel at the PFA awards, Rodgers made a remark that gave insight into his managerial approach. "I'm interested in the person as much as the player," said Rodgers after a discussion about Suarez's background and what made him tick.

Liverpool's manager does his homework, cares about players' families. He treats players as human beings not simply employees. He spoke quite emotionally at the football writers' dinner about his debt of gratitude to Suarez, about how honoured he felt to work with such a technical talent. Such expressions of respect can coax even more brilliance from a player.

Any chat with Rodgers is to be reminded of his presence. He has authority, a stature beyond his physical frame. The 41-year-old will engage in conversation but the privilege is in listening to the informed sentences with which he analyses games and also to the voice.

There is a quiet power to the way Rodgers expresses his well-chosen words. Sometimes he lowers his voice, intentionally or otherwise, requiring the listener to concentrate even more, a tactic used by Kenny Dalglish.

It all adds to the aura. It all points to why Liverpool are enjoying a renaissance under Rodgers, an intelligent, inspirational manager.

Follow the author - @henrywinter.