Johnson impressed by Rodgers´ recruitment

Glen Johnson has hailed Brendan Rodgers’ improvements to the Liverpool squad since taking over as manager.

England international Johnson believes Rodgers’ decision to sign Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho in the January transfer window has been a major factor in Liverpool’s rise up the English Premier League table.

And with only seven matches left to play this season, Johnson expects the club to maintain their good form and become a “fighting force” in 2013/14.

“Brendan has been very clever with the signings he’s made and the squad is getting to where it needs to be,” Johnson told Liverpool’s official site.

“We’ve won six out of seven games at Anfield so if we can finish the season with a record very similar to that then that would put us in good stead for the start of the campaign at Anfield for next season.

“We’re playing well at home, dominating games and picking up most points so the longer that continues the better.

“Then pick plenty more points up on the road and hopefully we’ll be a fighting force again.

“Nine times out of 10 we’re putting in good performances – we haven’t always picked up the points but more times than not we’ve played well.

“Next season, if we can play well and pick up the points, we’ll be a lot further up the table.”

Liverpool host West Ham United at Anfield on Sunday and Johnson is looking forward to locking horns with the club where he started his professional career.

“It’s always nice to play against your previous clubs; I always look forward to either going back there to play or for them to come to our ground,” Johnson said.

“They’ve got plenty of good players. Andy poses an obvious threat but he won’t be there on Sunday. They’ve got Matty Taylor, who can shoot from distance. They’ve got a lot of good players.”