Brendan's respect for West Ham duo
Brendan Rodgers has paid a dual glowing tribute to former Liverpool players Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing as the boss prepares for a reunion with the West Ham United duo this weekend.
The table-topping Reds travel to Upton Park on Sunday looking to defend their two-point advantage at the summit of the Barclays Premier League and further increase an eight-match winning streak.
In opposition will be two familiar faces; the aforementioned Englishmen both completed permanent switches from Merseyside to the Hammers last summer as the manager realigned his squad.
Asked about the pair at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Rodgers talked in fond terms of the striker and wide-man respectively, explaining the overall reasons for parting company with both.
"Both players are fantastic players," the Northern Irishman reflected to reporters gathered at Melwood for the briefing today.
"Andy wasn't let go from here because he wasn't good enough. I think he's one of the best players in Europe in how he plays, that style of attacking the ball in the air - he's outstanding.
"Everyone knows the way I work; it was never to say that Andy couldn't work that way, but he needed to play. He's gone on and done great for West Ham.
"When he has been fit, he has shown that he is one of the top strikers playing in that style of football. It certainly wasn't because he wasn't good enough. He's gone on and when he's played and been fit for West Ham, he's been excellent.
"Stewart Downing, like all the players in the opening few months when I came in, it was difficult for him. But then he really progressed and became a very important member of our team and squad by the end of the season.
"But the money that we were offered for him was going to help in getting other players in and help us continue along our journey within the philosophy.
"Stewart left and he has gone to there and been one of their best players, if not the best player. He's got a great left foot.
"And both of them were good men as well. I only worked with Andy for a short period of time, but he was a good guy. Stewart, likewise, was excellent."
Carroll has struck twice in nine Premier League appearances for the London outfit this season, with both efforts registered last month - including the opener against Sunderland on Monday evening.
Those in attendance at the club's training complex wondered whether the 25-year-old may have a point to prove against his old side.
"I don't think so," Rodgers responded. "He knows he's a very good player. West Ham paid a lot of money for him and identified him as a top young player.
"Playing in the style of football that West Ham play, there's not many better. He is wonderful in the air, touch in and around the box, his technique to swivel and turn at times in the box is great.
"So he certainly has nothing to prove to Liverpool. Coming in, my ideas and, more importantly, being unable to offer him the opportunity to play week in, week out, was the biggest factor.
"Andy wanted to play, because he had spent the period of 18 months or so beforehand actually not playing regularly. This was a chance for him to do that and he's taken it really well."