Liverpool, United Kingdom – Brendan Rodgers is hoping for a change of fortune as he goes in search of his first Premier League win as Liverpool manager when the Reds travel to Norwich on Saturday.
Rodgers believes one of the reasons his side have started so poorly – a winless run of five games leaving them in the bottom three – is because refereeing decisions have gone against them on countless occasions.
He was furious with referee Mark Halsey when he awarded Manchester United a penalty and sent of Reds midfielder Jonjo Shelvey in a 2-1 defeat by Liverpool's arch-rivals at Anfield last weekend.
Rodgers reckoned that was merely the latest in a long line of decisions that have not gone Liverpool's way and he spoke to referees' chief Mike Riley this week after feeling aggrieved about rulings during the midweek League Cup win over West Bromwich Albion.
“I'm more concerned that we've not had any sort of rub of the green from officials,” Rodgers said. “That's what we are looking for, just a wee bit of fortune when it comes to decisions.
“We like to think we are a sporting team, I have always told my players to do the right thing. But the fairness we show, it seems the decisions pass us by because of it – there are so many decisions that have gone against us.
“I spoke to Mike Riley, the head of referees about it, and he admitted he expected me to call earlier,” former Swansea manager Rodgers added.
“I didn't ring after the Manchester United game, I wanted to speak to the assessor first on that one, and he hasn't contacted us yet. But after the West Brom game, I had to call.
“Jordan Henderson got a horrendous tackle and the player wasn't even booked, while Andre Wisdom won the ball with a fair challenge and was booked. Things aren't going for us at all.”
Daniel Agger and Fabio Borini face a race to be fit for the game at Carrow Road after suffering injuries against United, while Martin Kelly will undergo a knee operation for a cruciate ligament rupture.
Rodgers has praised Liverpool fans for being patient with him despite their early-season struggle as he looks to revolutionise the Reds' style of play.
He said: “They understand our resources were really stretched and the support they've given, the team more importantly and myself, has been incredible from my first day here.
“I think the biggest thing we've got now at Liverpool is the reality, the real situation we are in. This is an iconic club in world football but we are not at that level as a team.”
Norwich are finding their second season back in the Premier League to be a testing proposition and Chris Hughton's side are still looking for their first win this term, having scored just twice in their opening five games.
But Hughton hopes the League Cup win over third-tier Doncaster will enhance Norwich's chances of finally collecting three points in the league.
“Winning football matches is a nice habit for a club like us,” said Hughton. “It is difficult to win lots of games because of the division we are playing in.
“You hope there is a feel-good factor you can go from one game to the next, and all of our efforts will now be on trying to get a win on Saturday.”
The win came at a price though, with Harry Kane, the forward on-loan from Tottenham Hotspur, expected to be out for around six weeks after sustaining foot and ankle injuries during the game. – Sapa-AFP