Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has set his sights on second-placed Manchester City.

Many of the players criticised - Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Jose Enrique and in particular Joe Cole - were signed by Rodgers' predecessors Kenny Dalglish and Roy Hodgson. Liverpool's former director of football Damien Comolli, who helped bring most of those players to the club, has said they have all been judged too early. "I don't know what Damien said and it's none of my business," added the Reds boss, who was pleased to see Cole score in Sunday's 3-2 win at West Ham. "It was important for Joe to contribute. This season has been very difficult for him because he has been injured for the majority of it. "The responsibility has always been with the players and if Joe continues to work how he has been when he gets the opportunity he has to take it. "He works very hard at his game and when the chances come I know in his own mind he wants to take them and be effective for the team. "That is the challenge for all the players. It is a challenge for us all to improve and we want to keep rising up the table."