Aug 2014
"I wasn't lying on a sun lounger on a beach over the summer crying and fretting over the fact that we lost the league," he told the Sunday Mirror. "There is only an excitement and a belief inside the club that we can challenge again for the title this time.
"We proved last season that we can handle the pressure of a title run-in. I know people will point to the Chelsea and Crystal Palace games, but they should look instead at our last 14 games.
"Twelve wins, one draw, one defeat. That kind of form usually wins you the title. So I know we can cope with the pressure. What we didn't get was that wee bit of luck you need along the way.
"We just didn't get the breaks when we needed them most, but I believe that we will be back up there, challenging, and Liverpool Football Club is a very exciting place to be at this current time.
"Last season was a great step forward and now we must believe that we can go one better.
September 2014
Liverpool manager admits preserving a Champions League place in the future is a greater challenge than sealing a return with last season’s second-placed finish
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“The club had a great period for many years in the Champions League and was then out of it, with all the struggles that brings,” said Rodgers, who will be without the injured Daniel Sturridge, Martin Skrtel and Joe Allen against Ludogorets.
“We are still a work in progress in many aspects of the football team and the club, but it’s very important for us to embrace everything about it and look to ensure we stay in it. I think it’s difficult to get in it and it will be even harder to stay in it. That’s the reality.
“It has brought greater resources to the club and allows us to add depth and strength and build something here, but it doesn’t make it any easier. It’s still going to be remarkably difficult. You’ve got a fight on your hands to be up in it every year but that’s something we are looking forward to doing.”