Lennon: Rodgers opened my eyes
Celtic boss Neil Lennon has described a period spent learning from Brendan Rodgers early in his coaching career as an 'eye-opener' - and spoken of his admiration for the Northern Irishman's work at Anfield.
The pair will lock managerial horns when the Reds take on Celtic in Dublin later today, a match LFC TV Online subscribers can watch live on this website.
Lennon spent three days studying Rodgers' methods while the now Liverpool boss was at Reading - and it made quite an impression.
"It was a real eye-opener," he said. "I was still a young guy on the coaching side of things and those three days were priceless in terms of how Brendan perceives the game, his philosophy on the game.
"His training is absolutely fantastic to watch. His sessions - I stole a few from him!
"He's had a fantastic career already and to get the Liverpool job, and the way he's handled the Liverpool job on and off the field, he's a credit to Ireland and the north of Ireland.
"I think Liverpool are in very good hands.
"The way he's handled some delicate situations with the media can't have been easy. You need to have a subtle way about you and that's what Brendan has.
"The way he's got the best out of some of his players as well...
"I think Liverpool are going forward in the right direction under his stewardship and I'm hoping for a big season for him."
For more information about our clash versus Celtic, follow @dublindecider. To find out what else is going on in Dublin while Liverpool are over in Ireland, visit www.thegatheringireland.com.