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Brendan Rodgers has saluted the contribution of trusted lieutenants Colin Pascoe and Mike Marsh to Liverpool FC’s Premier League title challenge.

The Reds boss says the work of assistant manager Pascoe and first-team coach Marsh has been vital to the club’s resurgence.

Liverpool, who have won nine successive league matches, boast a two-point lead at the top of the table ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash with Manchester City at Anfield.

“I get wonderful support from my assistants,” Rodgers told the ECHO.

“My staff here are absolutely critical to what we’ve done. I couldn’t do it on my own and they are a key part of the success here.”

Rodgers brought Pascoe with him from Swansea City when he was appointed as Kenny Dalglish’s successor in the summer of 2012.

The 49-year-old Welshman was already on the staff at the Liberty Stadium when Rodgers had taken over two years earlier. The pair quickly hit it off.

“When I went into Swansea, I went in on my own,” Rodgers said.

“I felt that I probably diluted myself too much during my short time in charge at Reading.

“I needed to get back to taking the sessions and doing the work, but obviously you need capable assistants to work with you.

“I felt going to Swansea I needed people who shared the vision and the ideas.

“Colin had worked there under a few managers from Kenny Jackett to Roberto Martinez and Paulo Sousa. He had a clear identity with the Swansea ideas.

“I did my homework on him and found that he was a loyal, honest man. He was an attacking coach who was keen to work in this way. He understood the philosophy.

“I had no doubts about bringing Colin to Liverpool. He’s a wonderful co-ordinator between the players and myself.

“I work closely with players. I talk and communicate with them a lot and Colin offers great support on that front. They respect him.”

Kirkby-born Marsh was already at Liverpool when Rodgers arrived but the Northern Irishman quickly promoted him from his role of under-18s coach at the Academy to working with the first-team at Melwood.

“It’s very important for me that I have people from this city around me who understand exactly it means to play and work for Liverpool Football Club,” Rodgers said.

“Mike is a Liverpool boy who has a close affinity with the club. He is developing as a coach all the time and developing his communication with top players.”

While Pascoe and Marsh assist with coaching sessions and formulating tactical plans, Rodgers is also indebted to the other experts he has surrounded himself with.

Head of performance Glen Driscoll, head of opposition analysis Chris Davies and head of fitness Ryland Morgans were all drafted in from Swansea, while goalkeeping coach John Achterberg was already at the club.

Nothing is left to chance with Rodgers’ full-time staff complemented by the likes of top sports psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters.

Skipper Steven Gerrard is among a host of Liverpool players to have benefited from working with Peters. His role is increasingly important amid the pressures of the title race.

“What we have here behind the players is a professional team of people working in every facet of the game,” Rodgers added.

“Technically, tactically, medically and in terms of sports science, we’re working with a clear methodology and a clear vision of how we work on the field and how they can recuperate players off it.

“Key for my work at any club I’ve worked at is the mental skills aspect of a player. It’s something that can get frowned upon in some places but it’s very important to me.

“If you take care of the technical, tactical and physical elements then the mental skills perspective of a footballer is equally as important.

“Behind the team we have a really professional group of people. Everyone is working with a clear vision to be the very best.”

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