Exclusive – Hartson: Player ‘crisis’ to blame for Liverpool slip, NOT Brendan Rodgers

John Hartson has come to the defence of under-fire Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, telling talkSPORT there isn’t a manager in the game who could cope with the run of high profile injuries and exits at Anfield.

The Northern Irishman has come under heavy criticism following the Reds’ unconvincing start to the season.

Liverpool currently sit 13th in the Premier League table and are without a win in six matches in all competitions after scraping through against lowly Carlisle United in the League Cup on penalties.

Their recent ailing form has seen Rodgers become the bookmakers’ second favourite to be the top flight’s first managerial casualty of the season, but former striker Hartson questions how he is expected to survive amid the club’s ‘crisis’ of injuries and recently departed stars.

“I do feel for Brendan,” the Welshman told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

“He’s had a horrendous crisis with injuries. [Club captain] Jordan Henderson is out now long-term and Roberto Firmino was injured in the League Cup last night.

“Daniel Sturridge has been out for a while and Christian Benteke is injured now as well.

“And when you take into account the fact they had to sell the likes of Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling, and Steven Gerrard has left the club - I don’t know a manager in the world who could cope with a crisis like that.

“It really doesn’t bode well for them. Brendan wants to get all his best players out on the pitch and then he’s got a chance, but the current injury crisis doesn’t help his cause.”