Liverpool Manager Confirmed

Craig Bellamy today welcomed the appointment of County Antrim man Brendan Rodgers as the new manager of Liverpool Football Club.

The former Swansea City boss was today unveiled as Liverpool's new manager and the Welsh international striker has described the arrival as a "match made in heaven".

Bellamy told Liverpoolfc.tv: "First of all he's a very good guy, and secondly he knows his football.

"What he's done at Swansea has been nothing short of remarkable. Swansea had a structure started by Roberto Martinez which the club has moved on from, so the situation at Swansea was brilliant for Brendan to come into and he didn't half grasp it and stamp his own authority on it as well.

"I feel Liverpool is not far from being a real force again and he will know he's coming into one of the most remarkable football clubs in the world.

"It's a great opportunity for him which he truly does deserve, and I feel if he approaches it in the same way he did for Swansea it's going to be a match made in heaven for both of us."

Northern Irish man Rodgers told the media: "This is a long-term project. It's a project over a number of years.

"First and foremost I want to defend the principles of this great club which is about offensive, creative football, with tactical discipline.

"The history of the club was the attraction. Also, the frustrations - it's been nearly 20 years since they've won the league title.

"And the realism is that we might not be ready for the title now but the process begins today and it's a new cycle. That's something we'll work towards in the years to come.

"I've come here hoping Liverpool will be the destination (for me). Liverpool is a club that if you have success and improve the team, hopefully you can be here for many years and that's the idea for arriving here."

(CD/GK)