• Premier League

'Intelligent' Brendan Rodgers similar to Arsene Wenger

Brendan Rodgers led Liverpool to second in the Premier League last season © Getty Images

Enlarge

Brendan Rodgers' thoughtful managerial style is similar to Arsene Wenger's and will be enough to turn around Liverpool's poor form, according to Kolo Toure.

Rodgers' Liverpool side ended a four-match losing streak on Wednesday night, but remain in danger of Champions League elimination after their 2-2 draw with Ludogorets in Bulgaria.

Liverpool lie 12th in the Premier League after an indifferent campaign so far, having finished runners-up last season, but Toure feels Rodgers is the right man to lead them forward.

Toure was part of Wenger's Arsenal side when they went through the entire 2003-4 league season unbeaten, winning the first of his two titles with the club.

Toure, also a Premier League winner with Manchester City in 2012, thinks that Rodgers has similar qualities to the Arsenal manager.

"I do see Wenger in him because he's so intelligent," Toure told the Liverpool Echo "He knows how to speak to players and how to get the best out of them. He will prove that because we will come out of this hard time.

"Like Arsene, he's always there at training trying to improve things. His style of play is also similar. He always wants us to pass the ball and keep playing which is very important."

Toure also insisted that Liverpool must back Rodgers, saying that he needs time to adjust to the demands of the Champions League.

"We need to stick with him because he's one of the best managers in the Premier League," Toure said. "In terms of the managers I've worked with, he's right up there.

"You need time as a manager. Last season was unbelievable, this season has been more tough. But I think he has done a great job for this club and we like him.

"He's young as a manager and this is the first time he has managed in the Champions League.

"The Champions League is tough. We've seen that with teams such as Manchester City. You have to learn about it.

"He is learning. At the end of the day he's a fair guy who is working hard and gives 100% every day. That's why I am sure we will get out of this spell we're in.

"Just look at what he's done during a short time here. When he arrived Liverpool were doing badly, he came in and brought the club a long way up.

"Maintaining it is more difficult than first getting up there. This season is a learning process but he will get there."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd