Rodgers: Nothing guaranteed

Posted Friday, April 18, 2014 by teamtalk.com

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says Sunderland's 2-2 draw at Manchester City has provided a stark reminder for his side that nothing can be taken for granted in the remaining four games of the season.

The draw means City are six points behind Rodgers' side and four points behind second-placed Chelsea with a game in hand on both their title-rivals as the season reaches its climax.

Liverpool travel to relegation-threatened Norwich on Sunday safe in the knowledge that they will win their first top-flight title in 24 years if they win their remaining fixtures.

But Rodgers, whose side can secure Champions League qualification with a win at Carrow Road, is refusing to look beyond this weekend's game, insisting Liverpool are not burdened by being tagged as title favourites.

"Two things came out of last night for me," Rodgers said. "It showed the level of performance in our game against Sunderland (which Liverpool won 2-1 earlier this month)."

"We were very good in the game until the last 15 minutes when Sunderland had a little bit of pressure but we were able to manage the game and get the three points which was important."

"And I think last night was also a warning sign, a warning sign for everyone that at this point of the season with four games to go there is nothing guaranteed and I've said that all the way along."

"That was the biggest message I got from last night. Yes one of our rivals might have dropped points but that is irrelevant you have to do your own job and as I said the warning signs were there."

"There's no added pressure. There's no less or more pressure than what we had then (at the start of the season)."

"We'll still look to win the game at the weekend and we're still in touch with reality in terms of where we're at."

"We've made great progress this season and our objective of trying to qualify for the Champions League was always going to be very difficult one because of the competitive nature of the league."

"But we're still on course for that and if we get a win at the weekend that will rubber-stamp for us."

Rodgers confirmed Daniel Sturridge's fitness will be assessed in the coming days after a scan revealed the striker is carrying a minor hamstring strain.

"He may struggle for the weekend," Rodgers said. "It's not too serious and won't keep him out for too many weeks, but he may be out for the weekend.

"At this moment in time we're just assessing him and seeing how he goes because he does recover very quickly."