• Premier League

Rodgers sacking talk crazy, says Toure

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure says talk of sacking Brendan Rodgers is "crazy" and has backed the manager to turn their season around.

Rodgers admitted on Friday that owners Fenway Sports Group have been "disappointed" by results this season, with the club languishing in 10th place after Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Manchester United, seven points adrift of the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot.

But Toure points to the fact that Rodgers guided the club to second place in the league last season, and feels he will get things right.

Brendan Rodgers has over seen Liverpool's worst league start in 50 years © Getty Images

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"It's crazy to even talk about his future," Toure told the Liverpool Echo. "He's a great manager and we all know that. Just look at how fantastically he did last season.

"This season has been tougher for him. But a lot of new players came in and things change. Time is needed for everyone to gel.

"We're all behind him and we're all trying to make things better. In the Premier League things can turn very quickly.

"I believe in this manager and I believe in this group of players. I know we will improve during the second half of the season. We are missing some players who will be back soon."

Liverpool missed a number of chances as they fell to defeat at United, who went in front through Wayne Rooney before Juan Mata added a second - which was allowed to stand despite television replays showing him to be offside.

Robin van Persie added a third after the break to leave Liverpool marooned in mid-table.

Rodgers' side, who were knocked out of the Champions League by Basel last Tuesday, face a League Cup quarter-final at Championship leaders Bournemouth on Wednesday before a Premier League home match against Arsenal next Sunday.

"Everyone is down at the moment but we need to stay positive," Toure added. "My message to the fans is that it was just one of those days against United. If you look at the performance in general, we played a great game. It could have been very different.

"I'd tell them to keep believing. We love them. We will get better. We need to forget about what's happened and focus on the next one coming up. If we win one game, then the confidence will come back.

"The League Cup is a really important competition for us. There's the chance to get to Wembley and win a trophy. We have the quality to do that.

"In football you have tough times. Last season was great, this season has been more difficult but there's a long way to go. We've got to get our heads down, keeping working hard and I know things will get better."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd