• 'Whatever is said you keep it behind closed doors' • Manager says criticism of Gerrard in autobiography is 'harsh'

Brendan Rodgers has accused Sir Alex Ferguson of lacking "old school ethics" after revealing the secrets of the Manchester United dressing room in his new autobiography.

Rodgers was also unhappy with Ferguson for criticising the Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard who he had said was not was not a "top, top player" despite having tried to buy him in 2005. The Scot had also riled the red half of Merseyside by suggesting that Liverpool were eight players short of a title-winning side

"Anyone who's been in football knows that whatever is said behind closed doors and in the changing room is something you wouldn't want to hear again," Rodgers was reported as saying by the Daily Mail.

"It's something that's vitally important. You want to know as a human being that you can speak openly and communication is honest, and hopefully wouldn't get repeated.

Ferguson had lifted the lid on his falling out with the captain Roy Keane and the reasons behind the sale of David Beckham, and Rodgers said: "You would like to think you would still have some old school values and ethics that whatever is said you take it on the chin and keep it behind closed doors and move on."

The Liverpool manager said of the Gerrard comment: "Everyone who's seen that would probably say it's more than harsh."

He told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show: "I've watched Steven over many years and recognised he was a top player but it's only when you come in and work with the man and realise how professional he is on a daily basis that you understand his performance level.

"This is a guy who at 33 years of age who is a top, top player. He's a wonderful talent and I don't think anyone could argue."