Brendan Rodgers has thrown his full weight behind under-fire number one Danny Ward and backed him to show he is an “outstanding goalkeeper”. Rodgers said he believes in Ward’s quality and feels he must show that by keeping faith, allowing him to come through a tough period. The City boss also feels he and the defence need time together following Kasper Schmeichel’s extended period as the club’s goalkeeper.
Brendan Rodgers said: “It’s been a really challenging start for him but you have to show faith. I see him every day, he’s an outstanding goalkeeper and it hasn’t been an easy start for the team, as well as him. He needs that opportunity to show that he can get that consistency and of course, you have to then perform. I have every confidence he will do that.” I always see it as a collective and collectively the team hasn’t defended well enough. That’s the reality. It’s been a tough start for him but this is part of what goalkeeping is about. You judge goalkeepers not just on the saves they make but how they react to mistakes. They are no different to outfield players, they make mistakes. But we need to support him and look to get him through if we believe in him. I believe he’s a really good keeper and hopefully over time he can show that. The one thing that’s needed is time. You can’t take away the great servant that Kasper was, and the great influence and personality that he was here. With Danny coming in, he then has to bring his own personality to the team and that does take a little bit of time and cohesion.”
Rodgers also said that long-serving goalkeeping coach Mike Stowell has backed the decision to give Ward the nod. Stowell is providing daily updates on the goalkeeping battle, with Iversen pushing the number one hard.
Brendan Rodgers added: “Stowelly is an outstanding goalkeeping coach and we speak daily on the keepers and their performances. They push each other really well. They’re a tight group and he was happy when we spoke about the goalkeeping situation in the summer and Wardy deserves that opportunity. So he’s been given it and I’m sure in time he will take it.”
