Liverpool lack character, says Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he needs to bring ‘men’ into his team to add the character he believes they have lacked this season.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he needs to bring ‘men’ into his team to add the character he believes they have lacked this season.

Rodgers saw his side’s chances of a top-four finish in the English Premier League all but come to an end when they lost at home to West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Liverpool then suffered a devastating Europa League defeat to Zenit St Petersburg, leaving them with only the slimmest chance of claiming silverware at the end of the season.

Rodgers believes the Merseyside club need to add experience to their squad in the off-season.

“The biggest thing we need this summer is to bring in some men, some character that allows and supports the other men to see the games out,” Rodgers told The Mirror.

“That is the reality of it. We haven’t been good enough. In order for us to be up there consistently we need to improve in terms of our mentality.

“Technically we are very capable, tactically we have not been found wanting, the condition and intensity of their work is high so that only leaves you one thing – mentality.

“That is the area which needs to improve and to do that we need character.”

Rodgers highlighted Jamie Carragher, who is set to retire at the end of the season, as an example of the type of character his side needs.

“Look at Jamie Carragher, he is our best defender, he is 35 but we are losing that character,” he said.

“That has to be replaced. I also think there are other areas of the team that need improving.

“You have to establish character. They have to be players – that is the key thing. They need that hunger to want to succeed.”