You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Brendan Rodgers says speculation over his future doesn’t bother him after a plane flew over Anfield ahead of the win over QPR calling for his dismissal.

The Northern Irishman has come under criticism in recent weeks for the club’s bad run of form, reaching its low point in midweek with the 1-0 defeat at Hull.

Before Saturday’s 2-1 win, the message ‘Rodgers out, Rafa in’ was flown over the stadium in reference to the current boss and former manager Rafael Benitez.

Though unknown who organised the plane, Rodgers was unperturbed by the demonstration.

“I thought it was Rafa’s agent in it,” he joked.

“Football has a short memory, we sat here last year having nearly won the league and now we have planes flying over so you can do nothing about it.

“I’m very fortunate and privileged to work here at Liverpool and as I said before there will be many names linked with the job because of the size and scale of the job to be undertaken here.

“I’m hugely honoured every single day of my life, and I will continue to be, however long it lasts.”

Rodgers made three changes from the defeat against Hull, with Rickie Lambert’s inclusion proving the most important.

The 33-year-old, starting his first game since the FA Cup win at AFC Wimbledon in January, set up Philippe Coutinho for the opener and enjoyed a good afternoon up front.

Rodgers was keen to praise the £4m striker, who still awaits his first Anfield goal.

“I thought he was excellent,” said Rodgers. “He made a good run and made an excellent pass to set up Coutinho for the first goal.

“We needed that physicality at the top end of the field to hold the ball up for us, he competed very well with the two centre halves and he did very well.”

Rodgers sends condolences to Rio Ferdinand

Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers has sent his condolences to Rio Ferdinand and his family after the death of his wife Rebecca.

The former Manchester United defender, now at QPR, lost his wife to breast cancer on Friday night.

Both teams wore black armbands in respect of Ferdinand's loss, while captain Steven Gerrard handed QPR captain Joey Barton white lilies before the game.

Rodgers said: “Football is secondary today, with all due respect.

“This is a guy who has been an incredible player and when I was coming to the ground I had heard the news about his wife and everything is insignificant to what Rio and his family are going through today.

“On behalf of us at Liverpool Football Club, the players, fans and people of the city, we pass on our condolences and respect to him and his family.”