Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed he is "never complacent enough to think that" his job is safe but plans to be at Anfield for the long term. He has also said he is not concerned about reports linking former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti with his position as "speculation" is normal in big clubs when the team is are not winning.

Rodgers managed to keep his place during the summer despite a disappointing 2014-15 campaign, where he failed to lead his side to the Champions League. The former Swansea boss tried to put things right by bringing in a number of new players but his position is under pressure once again after a poor start to the season, having secured just eight points from the six Premier League games. And on 23 September, Liverpool required penalties to beat League Two side Carlisle United in the Capital One Cup.

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The Northern Irish manager has been tipped as one of the main candidates to be sacked this term, with both Ancelotti and ex-Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp and reported to be potential replacements.

But asked ahead of the game with Aston Villa on 26 September about the rumours linking the former Real Madrid, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss with his job, he said as quoted by the BBC: "I think when you're a manager of club of this size there's always going to be speculation around the job. If you're not winning, that will intensify.

"I think there have been 10 managers linked with the club while I've been here. You take that as part and parcel of the game. I have regular contact with the owners and the relationship has always been strong.

"Whether I'm here for one day, one month, another year, whatever, I'll always have a respect for the owners and the people I work with closely here, such as [chief executive] Ian Ayre.

"I walked in here three years ago as a 39-year-old manager and as I sit here today, I'm a much better manager. But I understand you need to get results and that is the aim."

Asked if his job is in danger, Rodgers admitted: "I'm never complacent enough to think that it has never been. It's probably what drives a manager on, that fear. Positive fear. Every day you need to be at your best and when you come into here, into a club of this stature, that is always there. It doesn't frighten me, I have an inherent belief in what I do."

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