BRENDAN RODGERS ADMITS that there is a lack of quality and leadership within the Liverpool squad and says that the departure of Steven Gerrard will leave a huge void at Anfield.
The Reds were beaten 3-1 by Crystal Palace in Gerrard’s final home game on Saturday, with the former England international set to join LA Galaxy this summer.
Rodgers’s side have struggled this season and are guaranteed to miss out on Champions League football, with Manchester United now seven points clear of the Reds with one game of the season remaining.
Although Liverpool finished second in the Premier League last season, Rodgers admits that there is currently a shortage of quality at Anfield.
“That’s what we have to find – the answers to that,” he said. “You have to find the solutions. It is an incredible lot of experience, game management and quality gone out of the team but it is something we will find I am sure.
“Stevie has a huge influence in the changing room and a star quality. Of course it is something that will be missed, but if you want to be the big player at a club like this you have to step up and make the contribution in the big games. “That is the idea next season. I am sure that will be the case.
“We have players with good character and if we can throw in some quality with that it is important. “We need threat at the top end of the field because too many have disappeared for us, you only need to look at the number of goals.
“We have to find ways to get those goals back, the creativity and offensive threat while staying disciplined in our defending.”
Rodgers admits that he understands the supporters’ frustrations at the club’s performances this term, and insists that he intends to recruit players “who will make the difference” when the transfer window reopens.
“Listen, I can understand the supporters’ frustration this season when you think of the journey we were on last year,” he added. “The quality of the football and the game they were watching has not been there this season.
“As a supporter you want to turn up and see the team win and win well and at times that has not been the case. It is a big challenge for us so from a manager’s perspective there is a sense of reality in what we lost but rightly so the supporters want to see the team improving.”
