Football
Mike Whalley 9y

Kolo Toure backs Brendan Rodgers as pressure grows on the Liverpool boss

Liverpool centre-back Kolo Toure says that it is "crazy" to talk about Brendan Rodgers' future and has backed the manager to improve their form.

Rodgers admitted on Friday that the club's owners Fenway Sports Group have been "disappointed" by the club's results this season.

And former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol, now an ESPN FC pundit, suggested that the club would have to sack the manager if there was no improvement soon.

Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Manchester United left Rodgers' side 10th in the Premier League, seven points adrift of the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot.

But Toure points to the fact that Rodgers guided the club to second place in the league last season, and feels he will get things right.

The 33-year-old central defender told the Liverpool Echo: "It's crazy to even talk about his future.

"He's a great manager and we all know that. Just look at how fantastically he did last season.

"This season has been tougher for him. But a lot of new players came in and things change. Time is needed for everyone to gel.

"We're all behind him and we're all trying to make things better. In the Premier League things can turn very quickly.

"I believe in this manager and I believe in this group of players. I know we will improve during the second half of the season.

"We are missing some players who will be back soon.

"We all need to improve. We will all do our best to get him and the club out of this situation."

Liverpool missed a number of chances as they fell to defeat at Manchester United, who went in front through Wayne Rooney before Juan Mata added a second -- which was allowed to stand despite television replays showing him to be in an offside position.

Robin van Persie added a third after the break to leave Liverpool marooned in mid-table.

Rodgers' side, who were knocked out of the Champions League by Basel last Tuesday, face a Capital One Cup quarter-final at Championship leaders Bournemouth this Wednesday before a Premier League home match against Arsenal next Sunday.

Toure said: "Everyone is down at the moment but we need to stay positive.

"My message to the fans is that it was just one of those days against United. If you look at the performance in general, we played a great game. It could have been very different.

"I'd tell them to keep believing. We love them. We will get better.

"We need to forget about what's happened and focus on the next one coming up. If we win one game, then the confidence will come back.

"The League Cup is a really important competition for us.

"There's the chance to get to Wembley and win a trophy. We have the quality to do that.

"In football you have tough times. Last season was great, this season has been more difficult but there's a long way to go.

"We've got to get our heads down, keeping working hard and I know things will get better."

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