Brendan Rodgers: Liverpool boss in confident mood heading into home stretch

Rodgers has turned Liverpool around since taking charge in 2012 and he has put them firmly in title contention this season.

And the former Swansea boss is quick to hail the people around him at Anfield.

"I feel a huge privilege to be here and be given the freedom to work. We are trying to make something that is sustainable here," said Rodgers.

"It is fantastic that the supporters now have hope. I quite enjoy it, really. It is why I worked hard in my life, and since I was a young boy, travelling around Europe to find out about some of the top teams. This is why I became a manager.

"We have been allowed to develop at our own pace. We have never got carried away when we have won or too disappointed when we have lost, but we are building something for years to come."

And Rodgers is full of praise for his players as they have adapted to his style of play.

"If you ask players to play as we do, you have to give them the confidence. That is what you want - the courage to play," Rodgers explained.

"We work to deal with pressure, to get on the ball. The players know 100 per cent that if they make a mistake, I will take the blame.

"I have said all along I feel that when there are pressure situations, the players can cope... they can operate at this level without any fear. You see the confidence, there is no anxiety, no pressure.

"We have a wonderful mix: World-class players, young talents from Europe and South America and a load of young British talent here who show that, technically, they can play without fear."

With just six games of the season left, Rodgers admits that things are getting simpler to work out when it comes to the title run-in.

"There are only 18 points to play for, but you can only take three at a time. Upton Park [where Liverpool face West Ham on Sunday] will be a tough game for us but our confidence and belief is at a good level," he said.

"It is very difficult, lots of people are dreaming about Liverpool winning the title.

"But for me it is installing in the players that there's a process, it's not just about the end result.

"It's been about simple hard work, focus and concentration."