Gerrard 'excited' at prospect of working with new Liverpool boss Rodgers

Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard believes that Brendan Rodgers is the right man to take the Anfield helm, and is “excited” at the prospect of working with him.

 The former Swansea City boss was unveiled by John W. Henry on a three-year deal earlier on Friday.

And, despite being with the Three Lions ahead of England’s final warm-up game with Belgium, Liverpool’s skipper took time out to give his new manager a special mention.

 “I’m excited. I’m really looking forward to working with Brendan,” Gerrard told reporters. “We shared a phone call last night and I’m really looking forward to meeting him in person and getting started with working with him.

Rodgers said earlier today that he was confident of making the step up on Merseyside after guiding the Swans to a respectable 11th-place finish in their first season in the Premier League, following the Welsh club’s promotion via the play-offs last May.

 The Northern Irishman learned his trade under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea after taking over the reins of the reserve team at Stamford Bridge, but he endured contrasting fortunes at both Watford and Reading before landing the job at the Liberty Stadium.

 However, Gerrard confirmed he spoke with several Chelsea players after they returned to the international fray following their Champions League heroics in Munich and they gave the new Liverpool boss a glowing review.

 “When he was in the running for the job I was speaking to the Chelsea boys and some of the players that had experienced working with him as well and they all spoke really highly of him," he said.

 “They said he’s a good coach, a good guy – very honest and supports his players very well. So that’s all you ask for as a player. We’re really looking forward to it.”

 Rodgers also conceded that once he knew he was Liverpool’s number one target, it was an easy decision to make despite being happy at Swansea, and Gerrard confirmed that the Reds got the man they wanted.

 “I can say that Brendan was the first choice,” he continued. “I was in the loop all the way through the last few weeks with the Liverpool board and owners and Brendan Rodgers was the first choice.”