Rodgers: You have to earn that respect
Brendan Rodgers has been enthralled by the way in which Liverpool have implemented his philosophy this season, and admitted he cannot imagine being at any other club.
The Reds are unbeaten in 2014, with the victory over Manchester United making it 32 goals scored and just 11 conceded in the Barclays Premier League since the turn of the year.
Following a series of commanding showings, the 41-year-old has received glowing praise from his players, with captain Steven Gerrard leading the compliments.
"He has been a revelation," the skipper said earlier this week. "He's a young coach who has been there and earned the right to be Liverpool manager.
"From week to week he is helping us improve and get better, and he has been an absolute breath of fresh air to this football club.
"He manages every single player differently, he knows we have different characters in the dressing room and his man-to-man, one-on-one management is the best I have known."
Rodgers appreciated the words from Gerrard, who he believes exemplifies the Anfield outfit. "It makes me very happy," the boss told his pre-Cardiff City press conference.
"He's the captain, who has been an iconic figure at this club for many years and has worked with so many great managers, so it's very nice for someone with such status to say those words.
"As a manager, you aim to earn the respect of the players; you don't necessarily need to be liked, just so long as you are respected.
"I feel really at home here, I can't really think of being anywhere else. This is a wonderful football club and hopefully as time goes on and the philosophy becomes second nature, we continue to do better and advance."