Mark Lawrenson: 'Merseyside derby is biggest game of Brendan Rodgers' tenure'

Mark Lawrenson has claimed the Merseyside derby in the biggest match in the tenure of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool.

Reports have suggested that the 42-year-old will be sacked if his side lose to Everton at Goodison Park due to growing pressure from the club's underwhelming start to the season.

Lawrenson believes that the outcome of the match will be crucial in deciding the future of Rodgers at the club, with the two-week international break on the horizon.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "The Goodison derby is the most important game of Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool career. The Reds boss has been under pressure for much of the last six months.Results haven't exactly offered him much respite, and neither have performances.

"People are making out matters are pretty disastrous but Rodgers has pointed out to the fact we stand only five points off the top of the table. Indeed, we're only two points off the Champions League qualification places.

"But then there's other evidence to filter in, not least the amount of money we have spent on the squad, not least during the summer. If Everton win and go four points clear of Liverpool, then it doesn't become a crisis but it heaps even more pressure on the manager – not least given, with an international break to follow, we'll have two weeks to mull over the result."

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