Rodgers: No split with team owners

LIVERPOOL - Agence France-Presse

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers reacts during the match against Arsenal.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted he is on the same wavelength as the club’s U.S.-based owners despite problems during the recent transfer window.

Fenway Sports Group has been criticized after Liverpool failed to sign a striker following Andy Carroll’s loan move to West Ham.

Rodgers admitted he would not have let the England forward leave had he not been confident he could bring in a replacement.

But a deal for Fulham’s Clint Dempsey fell through because FSG would not pay what they considered an inflated price.

That led to suggestions the manager had been undermined by the owners but he insisted the situation had been made clear to him when he took over from the sacked Kenny Dalglish in June.

“I’ve had long conversations with the owners,” he said.

“I’ve got to say they have been very honest and very up front right from the off.

“I came here first and foremost because of the owners. I felt a genuine honesty in their approach to it and in how they wanted to go forward with the football club.”

Rodgers, speaking at a forum with representatives of Liverpool fan sites and blogs, added: “Of course the window didn’t quite go to plan but going forward a great deal of learning has taken place.