Tuesday 28 April 2015 18:53, UK
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has backed manager Brendan Rodgers' claim it is only a matter of time before the club wins the Premier League again.
Tuesday marks 25 years to the day since the Reds last won the title, although they claimed second spot last season.
The current campaign has been more of a struggle, with Liverpool sitting fifth in the table, but former striker Fowler is convinced they will soon be back among the frontrunners for the crown.
“We’ve been knocking on the door for a few years,” he told Sky Sports News HQ. “We are still in with a slight chance of getting fourth place, I think Brendan is a bright man and I honestly believe he will bring success back to this club.”
Goals have been hard to come by this season, with the prolific scorer Luis Suarez leaving to join Barcelona over the summer, while Daniel Sturridge has been beset by injury problems.
Fowler believes they have performed well in other areas of the pitch, though, and sees cause for optimism next season.
“Daniel Sturridge has not played as many games this year and they have missed his goals,” he added. “When you take away the Luis Suarez goals as well, they scored a lot of goals last season.
“Liverpool’s leading goalscorer this year Raheem Sterling has only 11 goals and we are still in fifth place and trying to get into the Champions League. That shows how well we have done in other positions, other than the goals.”
Talks over a new contract for Sterling have been put on hold until the end of the season, with the winger recently reportedly turning down a £100,000-a-week contract offer as he continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid or Manchester City.
But Fowler feels he would best served staying at Anfield and continuing his development under Rodgers.
“He’s a good player and he’s proven, on his day, he can do just about anything,” said Fowler. "We hope he stays but it is Raheem’s decision. Under Brendan’s tuition he has developed as a player and I really believe he’ll get better under Brendan.
“For me, he’s in the best place to learn his football and go from strength to strength.”
As for his evaluation of Liverpool’s season so far, Fowler insists it could still be considered a success if they claim a Champions League spot next season.
“We all want to win but that hasn’t been the case for a long while at Liverpool,” added Fowler.
“Other teams have just been better this season but they will give it a good shot to get into those Premier League places, although it’s a tall ask and you are relying on other teams to struggle.
“Liverpool can’t afford to worry about others, they have just got to worry about themselves and get the results they need.”
