Norwich City will pose a different kind of challenge to Liverpool on Sunday, but Brendan Rodgers is ensuring the Reds prepare for the Canaries with their normal levels of focus and intensity.
Rodgers said Thursday at his pregame news conference that Liverpool wouldn’t take Norwich City lightly, despite its current position in 17th place in the Premier League standings.
“It’s been difficult for them this season, but we don’t underestimate them,” Rodgers said, according to LiverpoolFC.com. “We’ll respect them and know that they are a threat.”
Rodgers believes the Canaries’ fight against relegation will give them extra motivation at Carrow Road against the title-chasing Reds.
“They know they need to win their game. They’re just above the relegation [zone] and they’ll see their home games as being vital for them. They’ll want to show they can win in front of their supporters.”
While many fans and neutrals are looking forward to the Liverpool-Chelsea game on April 27 at Anfield, Rodgers says his job is to maintain his team’s focus on a week-to-week basis.
“We never look too far ahead — that’s key in order to manage that expectancy,” Rodgers said. “It doesn’t matter about Chelsea, Crystal Palace or Newcastle – we have to do the job against Norwich.
“We focus on our performance level, and that takes our mind off a lot of the other external factors and background noise that may come across your way.
“As the manager, it’s the job. You’ve got to manage expectations, it’s part of the leadership role. We’ve never got too carried away. Around the training ground, we’re very much focused on what we’re doing.
Liverpool’s Premier League game against Norwich City kicks off at 7 a.m. ET. Join us on NESN.com on Sunday morning, as we’ll cover the Reds-Canaries game live.
