Norwich: Brendan Rodgers is confident his Liverpool players possess the necessary ingredients to get the better of title rivals Chelsea when the two teams meet at Anfield this weekend.
Liverpool will go into that game five points ahead of Jose Mourinho’s side following their 3-2 win at Norwich City on Sunday, which followed an unexpected victory by bottom club Sunderland at Chelsea the previous day.
Victory next Sunday would put Liverpool within touching distance of their first ever Premier League title with two games left to play.
Their rise to the top of the table, which has also seen them overtake Manchester City and Arsenal, has been achieved through attractive, attacking play and Rodgers gave an insight into the philosophy that has helped them get there.
“When they are in the changing room just before we go out, I always tell them, ‘Lose yourself, focus on the ball and focus on the team. If you do that, then we can be a real force,'” he said.
“You have seen all the characteristics of our team today (Sunday) — wonderful invention and creativity, courage, arrogance on the ball, goal-scoring, young players and senior players all playing, and instructions that allow them to express themselves.
“It’s going to be a brilliant game next weekend with Chelsea coming to Anfield. The supporters will be right up for it and the players as well. We are looking forward to it.”
Raheem Sterling scored two of Liverpool’s goals at Carrow Road, either side of Luis Suarez’s 30th Premier league goal of the season, and Rodgers hailed the England international for his contribution.
“He is arguably the best young player in European football at the moment,” Rodgers said.
“He is 19 years of age and if he doesn’t win the (Professional Footballers’ Association) Young Player of the Year award, it’s ridiculous.
“I have been really pleased with his maturity. He puts an awful lot of time into his work and we have tried to play him in different positions to improve his football intelligence.
“He’s got that in-built belief that he can be a good player, but he’s a really humble lad.”
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