Chris Ramsey: 'Brendan Rodgers deserve praise, not criticism'

Queens Park Rangers boss Chris Ramsey has admitted that he is baffled by the criticism directed at Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers in recent weeks.

The Northern Irishman is thought to be close to losing his job on Merseyside, with the Reds' Champions League qualification bid all but ruined after Tuesday's defeat at Hull City.

Rodgers's side were also knocked out of the FA Cup by relegation-threatened Aston Villa at the semi-final stage, but Ramsey, who faces him at Anfield this weekend, remains miffed by the criticism.

"I would really love to have that pressure that he's got," he told ESPN. "I don't know how you guys work if I'm being honest. He's at a big club, he's done very, very well.

"He said it himself the other day -- three months ago he was a tactical genius. You don't become a bad manager overnight."

The 42-year-old took Liverpool to within one point of a first league title in 24 years last season, before being pipped by Manchester City on the final day.