Liverpool confirm Rodgers appointment

Northern Irishman Brendan Rodgers has been unveiled as the new Liverpool manager.

The former Swansea City boss replaces Kenny Dalglish, who was sacked after a disappointing eight-place finish in the Premier League.

Rodgers comes to Anfield with only four years of managerial experience, after, in addition to the Welsh side, stints at Watford and Reading.

The 39-year-old received much praise and adulation for adopting a possession-based passing game in Swansea’s debut season in the top flight, seeing it reap rewards with a highly-respectable 11th-place finish.

The newly-appointed manager said he could not ignore the lure of managing Liverpool, despite initially planning to stay at the Liberty Stadium club for ‘a number of years’.

“I’m blessed to be given this opportunity. I want to thank John Henry, Tom Werner and FSG (Fenway Sports Group) for the opportunity to manage such a great club,” Rodgers said in a statement prior to his unveiling.

“I’m really excited and I can’t wait to get started on this incredible project going forward. I promise to dedicate my life to fight for this club and defend the great principles of Liverpool Football Club on and off the field.”

Liverpool owner John Henry said Rodgers was the man he wanted at Anfield, but added he needed to be given time.

“Brendan’s comprehensive football philosophy is perfectly aligned with those at the club and those soon to join the club,” Henry said.

“He was the first choice unanimously among them and he had no hesitation at all in embracing exactly what we want to try to build at Liverpool.

“We do not expect miracles overnight nor should anyone else. But we firmly believe that the direction the club is heading in will lead to Premier League championships.

We will embrace the unconventional, build the right way and together set a bold, exciting course for this historic club.”