Rodgers not concerned by Klopp talk

The Reds boss is under pressure following a poor start to the season having signed a raft of new players in the summer, but is not unduly worried by press speculation

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says he is not especially concerned about speculation linking a number of managers with his job, but acknowledges that the Reds must start winning matches.

Rodgers has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks following defeats to West Ham and Manchester United, as well as last Sunday's 1-1 draw with Norwich City and a narrow penalty shoot-out victory over League Two side Carlisle United in the League Cup on Wednesday.

Jurgen Klopp, who left Borussia Dortmund in the summer, and Carlo Ancelotti, sacked by Real Madrid at the end of last season, are two of the high-profile names to have been linked with the Anfield hotseat, but Rodgers insists that is a normal occurrence.

"When you're manager of a club like this there's always going to be speculation about your job, especially when you're not winning," he said at a press conference ahead of Saturday's home game against Aston Villa.

"I'm a much better manager [than when I arrived here three years ago], but I know I need to get results."

Rodgers also confirmed that Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren will all miss the Villa game through injury.

Firmino, signed for close to £30 million this summer, "may have cracked something in his back", according to Rodgers, as the club await an exact diagnosis.