Rodgers under no Pool pressure

Liverpool have been handed a Europa League third qualifying round clash with either Macedonian side FK Renova or FC Gomel of Belarus for their first competitive match under Brendan Rodgers, who will be under no pressure this term to get the team into the Champions League, according to Reds principal owner John Henry.

The Merseysiders — in the Europa League by virtue of winning last season’s Carling Cup — were seeded in Group Two and could have been paired with Dundee United for matches that are set to be played on August 2 and 9.

But instead, following yesterday’s draw, they await the winners of the second qualifying round tie between Gomel and Renova, which the Belarusians lead 2-0 going into the second leg — to be played in Belarus — next Thursday.

Rodgers will be looking to make an immediate impact in this early European assignment ahead of the Premier League season, which gets under way a little over a week after they play the second leg.

Top-flight success will be paramount after the Reds’ disappointing eighth-placed finish in the 2011-12 campaign, although it seems the hierarchy at the club are being realistic in their expectations.

This time last year Henry, as lead figure for owners Fenway Sports Group, told Dalglish the requirement was a top-four finish, but no such demands are being put on Rodgers — or at least, not at this early stage of his reign.

“We don’t want to put any pressure on Brendan by saying you have got to make the Champions League this year,” said Henry.

“Of course he wants to make the Champions League, we all do and so does every team in the Premier League.

“At this point we’re just trying to get things stabilised — that should be one of our goals.”

Referring to the new man at the helm, Henry said: “Brendan has a very structured approach and he plays the kind of football that we think Liverpool fans will love to see.

“You can see why he was appointed. He’s an inspirational figure.

“He’s very charismatic, he’s smart, he knows what he wants to accomplish and he’s determined to accomplish it.”

Rodgers is beginning to remodel his squad and while he insists there is no chance of England international Andy Carroll leaving on loan, he admits the Reds will consider any offers they receive for the striker they paid Newcastle £35million for in 2011.

“There is talk of him going on loan, especially after the investment the club have paid,” Rodgers said.

“But his condition will be the same as every player. If an offer comes in for any player at the club we would either look at it, or dismiss it, and Andy’s no different to that.”