Brendan Rodgers goes back to basics ahead of Basil battle

Brendan Rodgers admits that he’s had to change his style of management to put Liverpool’s season back on track.

He took the decision to return to “dictator mode” after the shocker of a defeat at Crystal Palace two weeks ago.

Now he hopes it pays dividends in the crucial Champions League decider against Basel on Tuesday.

On what promises to be a vintage Anfield European night, only a win will see the Reds progress to the knock-out stages.

“We were nowhere near our standard at Palace, and I had to find the solution,” he explained. “I’m not dogmatic enough to never change.

“I asked myself how I could improve, and I felt I needed to bring a different leadership style back in. In my time here, I’ve had three different styles.

“When I came in, it was very autocratic I put my principles in place and made sure that the players knew this was how I worked.

“Once people understand you, however, you become more democratic and more educational. But in the summer we brought in a lot of players who don’t know how I work.

“After Palace, I thought I needed to become autocratic again. I decided to provide more clarity in telling them what we needed to do. I wanted to make sure I got a reaction and I believe I’ve had one.

“We’ve had a lot less time on the training pitch this season because of our European commitments. That would be alright if I only had a couple of new players. But I’ve got nine and no coaching time. So where am I finding out about things? I’m finding out during matches.

“Those players had to come in because the squad was light, but it meant that we’ve near enough had to start again.”

Rodgers knows that three defeats out of five in their Champions League group doesn’t exactly shout out Liverpool’s credentials for the knock-out stages.

But he’s happy to be in the position of a one-game shoot-out on home territory to go through.

“I said at the beginning that the group would come down to the last two games,” he continued.

“Realistically, with the power of Real Madrid’s squad, it was always likely that we’d be fighting for that next place. But we couldn’t have wanted any more than a game at Anfield to qualify. It suits us perfectly.

“Ludogorets have shown themselves to be tougher than expected, but for us the disappointment was losing in Basel.

“But that doesn’t matter now. If we can beat them here and put it to bed, I’m confident that it will be a much better Liverpool team when we resume in February.

“Since I’ve been here, the team has always got better as the season has gone on, and history shows that a home and away tie against Liverpool will be always be difficult.

“I’ve lost count of the number of people who’ve said that I must wish I had last year’s team in the Champions League this year. But I can’t worry about that. We have to do our best with the players we have.”