Jordan Henderson: 'Brendan Rodgers one of world's best managers'

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has dismissed criticism over Brendan Rodgers by claiming that the Northern Irishman is one of the world's elite coaches.

Rodgers led the Reds to within a whisker of their first league title for 24 years last term as they missed out on the last day to Manchester City.

However, the Liverpool manager's fortunes have changed this term and the Merseyside outfit are currently ninth in the Premier League table having picked up just 21 points from 15 games.

Henderson told the Liverpool Echo: "We've got full confidence in the manager because he's one of the best in the world. For me, he's got everything. It's not down to the manager, it's down to the players.

"We need to take more responsibility as a team and as a group and start putting in performances and getting results for everyone. The manager is doing everything for us to do that, tactically and on the training pitch, and it's up to us to go and do it.

"He's still confident in the way he wants to play football and he's doing everything he can for us to start getting results. It's up to us as players. People might want to point fingers at the manager and ex-players are coming out saying he's getting the sack, but we all know that isn't true."

Henderson, who was made vice-captain earlier in the season, is expected to be part of the squad that travels to arch rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.