Brendan Rodgers: The Premier League is the reason why English clubs are failing in Europe

Brendan Rodgers has blamed the Premier League for English football's struggles in Europe

LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers believes the Premier League can do more to help English teams competing in Europe.

 

Rodgers said the competitive nature of the domestic league impacted on the prospects of England’s elite, but said other countries receive more help from their respective federations.

English sides have lost five of six Champions League matches they have so far played this season with Arsenal losing twice and Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all suffering one defeat.

 

After last season’s underperformance, the results so far will fuel concerns that England could lose a representative, dropping from four to three teams, in the 2017-18 campaign.

Porto beat Chelsea last night after the Portuguese FA moved their game against Moreirense to Friday last week to give them extra time to prepare for the visit of Jose Mourinho’s side.

“The competition in the Premier League is like no other,” said Rodgers. “If you speak to players and managers who have been in Europe and then they come to here… You see Porto last night. Porto played on Friday, they had a dispensation to move the game, so that keeps them fresh.

 

“I also think the big teams abroad can sometimes win games at 70 per cent and conserve their energy and be fresh. There is no game in the Premier League where you can do that.

“Chelsea will come back and have a tough game at Southampton this weekend. There is no easy game in the Premier League because of the physicality and the intensity of the games.”

Rodgers continued: “I think they (the Premier League) could do more to support the teams in Europe. It happens with the other federations and the other countries.

 

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and his side lost 2-1 to FC Porto last night

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal have lost their opening two Champions League fixtures

“They help. It doesn’t happen in this country. As I said, the physicality of this league is like no other. The intensity, how it is played, the demand on players.

“In other countries, some of the big teams can change five, six, seven players and still win the game and field a real strong team for the next game. They have got a domestic competition less. We have got to cup competitions in this country, the others have one.

“So it all adds up for it being difficult for the Premier League teams. But it is something that we have to cope with and we respect that challenge. In means you have to monitor your players and get the best out of the ones who are available.”