Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says the pressure is on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers
Last Updated: November 4, 2012 3:27pm
Pardew believes Liverpool are 'vulnerable' after a poor start
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Newcastle boss Alan Pardew says the pressure is on counterpart Brendan Rodgers ahead of Sunday's clash with Liverpool.
The Reds are on a seven-game winning run against the Magpies but have begun life under Rodgers tentatively - winning only twice in their opening nine Premier League games.
And Pardew, whose side sit three points and two places above their hosts, is looking to cause further concern for Rodgers at Anfield.
He said: "There's a little bit more pressure at Liverpool because of the stature and the trophies that they've won.
"You have to look at Newcastle and say we haven't won a trophy in so long. You'd have to put them, historically, much higher than us.
"It's a period for Brendan and the team when they're evolving and when they're evolving they're vulnerable.
"Perhaps they are at the moment but they still have some fantastic players. The England captain (Steven Gerrard) and (Luis) Suarez are two of the best players in the Premiership, so we have to make sure we are very much on top of our game."
Pardew has also backed Rodgers to find a solution to Liverpool's sluggish start to the season and has called for him to be given a chance to make his mark at the club.
Liverpool have only won twice this season, against Reading and Norwich, and were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Swansea on Wednesday.
"You have to remember that Brendan Rodgers is someone who was brought in to play a style of football and a vision they believe in," Pardew said.
"They have to give him time and the right tools. In the last window, if I'm honest, I don't think he was given the tools that he needed so I think it was always going to be difficult for him.
"Hopefully he will get to the next window in a good competitive place, as that's what Liverpool want to be, one of the top teams.
"I think for British football it's good that Liverpool have a strong side, like Newcastle. They are two clubs that are very similar at the minute. We're both striving to be a top-six team."
