Emre Can: Liverpool players also responsible for poor form and Brendan Rodgers dismissal

Liverpool midfielder Emre Can says he and his teammates must take some of the blame for Brendan Rodgers's dismissal, insisting it is the players who are responsible for the club's current malaise.

Rodgers, appointed manager at Anfield in the summer of 2012, was sacked on Sunday 4 October following a 1-1 draw with Merseyside rivals Everton. The Northern Irish manager left the club in 10<sup>th place in the Premier League having won just four of their 11 games in all competitions this season, including a penalty shootout victory over League Two side Carlisle at home in the Capital One Cup.

Despite their present slump, Can has backed his former manager, telling German publication Die Welt: "We had a low with Liverpool which cost us a couple of games. Even though coach Brendan Rodgers has mainly been targeted, at the end of the day it us players who were responsible for the situation at Liverpool. Rodgers did good work, as always."

With former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp now expected to succeed Rodgers, the ex-Swansea City manager released a statement of his own via the League Managers Association (LMA) on 5 October.

Rodgers said: "I have worked every day to represent the club to the best of my ability, to develop both individual players and a team that the club's magnificent fans can be proud of. There have been some very memorable moments during my time at Liverpool and I would like to thank all of the players for their hard work and commitment.

"The current squad is one in transition, but they have some real talent and are showing a strong sense of togetherness. I expect to see them continue to grow and develop over the coming weeks and I wish them and my successor well for the rest of the season."