• Premier League

Gerrard won't let slip affect him, says Rodgers

Steven Gerrard is his own worst critic, according to Brendan Rodgers © PA Photos

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Brendan Rodgers says Steven Gerrard is his own worst critic but expects his captain to get over Liverpool's Premier League title disappointment and lead England into this summer's World Cup with his head held high.

Gerrard endured a difficult end to the season and was at fault when his slip gifted Chelsea victory at Anfield on April 27. Following the club's final-day victory against Newcastle, Gerrard admitted he was "absolutely devastated" to miss out on delivering what would have been Liverpool's first domestic title in 24 years.

Rodgers wants quality, not quantity

• Liverpool are poised to make a double swoop for Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri and Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand as Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his squad ahead of their Champions League return.
• Rodgers says he wants quality rather than quantity in his signings and is set to bring in around five or six new faces at Anfield this summer.
• The club are expected to let several fringe players, most notably Daniel Agger and Lucas, leave the club should they find first-team football elsewhere in a bid to raise extra funds for their manager.
• Liverpool are reported to be in advanced talks with Southampton for a £20m move for Adam Lallana, while Rodgers is also keen on both Saints defender Dejan Lovren and Steven Caulker to strengthen his backline.
• Alberto Moreno, the Sevilla left-back, is also thought to be on Rodgers' radar and could command a fee of around £15m.

Rodgers believes Gerrard is his own worst critic but is confident his captain will put this season's frustration behind him and be in a fresh state of mind when he boards the plane to Brazil.

"I've no concerns whatsoever about Steven," Rodgers said. "I think Steven will go away and when he reflects on what has been personally a brilliant season of football, he has been very unfairly pointed out in terms of his slip.

"It could have happened in the third game it could have happened in the fourth game but it certainly wasn't anywhere near the defining moment of our season. That wasn't what cost us the league. It was more games when we won the games.

"When we won 5-3 at stoke when we conceded, when we won 6-3 at Cardiff, when we won 4-3 at home and conceded three. It was those games, not Steven's slip or Kolo's misplaced pass.

"He is a very conscientious boy and he loves Liverpool. He is very hard on himself and he's his own worst critic but he comes away recognising that he has been involved in a real title run in and next season he will be better for it.

"He will take that confidence into a World Cup. I always say to players 'when you go to England don't think of Liverpool - think about your country and the team you are playing for.'

"One of his qualities is that he can do that. He is a model professional at that, he is very proud to play for England and captain his country and i am sure he will go and do the country proud again."

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