WalesOnline: BR - LFC pull was too strong

"This is Anfield."

One of the most iconic welcomes in world football is set for Swansea City this week.

Yet it is another sign that Brendan Rodgers will think of come what may on Wednesday night on Merseyside.

In three days' time Rodgers, the man who delivered Premier League football to a nation, will take on his former side and supporters after the Capital One Cup invited Swansea to Liverpool.

It will be the first time Rodgers faces his past since walking out of the Liberty five months ago, frustrating fans who did not want to see the end of the Northern Irishman's era.

Taking one of the club's prized possessions with him in the playmaking form of Joe Allen, Rodgers knows there is no certainty to how he will be greeted by the 3,000 expected to travel to Anfield from South Wales aiming for more than simply a place in the quarter-finals.

But it is the words of one lone Swansea fan that will matter most to him.

"In my time at Swansea, personally I don't think I've ever been through a more difficult period in all my life," Rodgers explained to Wales on Sunday, the 39-year-old losing his father to cancer last year.

"Yet, professionally, I probably had arguably the most successful period of my life.

"But that only came because of the support I got from the people of Swansea.

"I was - and always have been - touched by their support. Since I left I've had a number of letters from Swansea fans and there was one which was really poignant.

"I missed a press conference one day and no-one ever knew why.

"I travelled to see a young lady called Amanda who was a headteacher.

"She had been diagnosed with cancer, she was told she was all right but then she was readmitted with only a few months to live.

"It was the day to meet the press, but life was more important so I went to see her. She was in the last few weeks of her life.

"She was a mad Swansea supporter, but, ironically, her family were big Liverpool supporters.

"When I spent the afternoon with her, she went away and wanted to give me something for when she passed away.

"So when I arrived at Liverpool the family said this was something that she wanted to give me. It will always stay closely with me.

"It reminds me that my relationship with the people, players and supporters will never change.

"Football is football. That is the real world."

Sat in his vast office at Liverpool's Melwood training ground, Rodgers pointed to a frame in greater pride of place than any of the images of Bill Shankly or European Cups.

It reads: 'Have hope, be strong, laugh loud and play hard. Live in the moment, smile often, dream big. Remember you are loved and never ever give up'.

It clearly means much to Rodgers, the words passed on to the Hillsborough families as he looks to form and foster a relationship with a new club and a new community, and no doubt soothing when he endured a difficult start to life as Liverpool manager.

Results have not come with the same convincing flow as the football that persuaded Liverpool to head-hunt him and pay £5m in compensation to take him from Swansea.

Not that many he left behind have been concerned, football's emotions meaning pleasure can often be found from others' misfortune.

And there will be a pocket in South Wales who will have little sympathy, given that there was no gun to his head when he told Huw Jenkins he wanted to succeed Kenny Dalglish when the call from Anfield came.

"I was happy at Swansea, I really was," said Rodgers. "It's a club that is really going to go on and grow and grow into a really established Premier League club.

"I knew what the journey was there. I was more than happy to be part of that and help that to grow.

"But this is Liverpool. You walk into the building here and there is the European Cup for the five titles here.

"They haven't won the league for 23 years. It's a frustration, but that was part of coming here to try and help and test myself as a manager.

"Even with all that it was a really emotional time. I remember with Huw, my wife... the pull was incredible.

"The professional challenge was why I came. If it was about people and honesty and those type of things, I'd still be at Swansea.

"But this challenge is so great. It was still a big decision; I spoke to a number of people but one of the best bits of advice came from the chairman.

"Huw was incredible in the process, he saw it from professional point of view, but also as a friend."

Yet for 90 minutes at least this week, Rodgers friends will not speak with Welsh accents.

"I respect the Swansea City supporters, no matter what their response is," said Rodgers when asked what he thinks may greet him from the Anfield Road End on Wednesday.

"It's never easy when anyone leaves. I hope over time that the work I did during that period will be respected and looked upon.

"I understand if there is any ill-feeling towards me. But I only left to come to one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"I had four chances to leave whilst I was there, but I was always very happy in my life.

"It took an opportunity from an iconic club to come for me to go.

"And the Swans now have a terrific manager who will add his own slant to the philosophy."

Rodgers' conscience over the move appears to have been eased by the fact Swansea have continued to move forward under the current board regardless of upheaval, confidently stating the club 's success will continue.

And he makes no apologies for wanting to emulate the blueprint on a bigger scale at his new home, although accepts managing that and the expectations of one of the biggest clubs in the game is no easy feat.

"Swansea's philosophy is in place, we're only at formation here," he said. "Where we are at and where we want to be is two different places.

"But I love the challenge and I love the responsibility.

"And, whatever happens after this experience, I will be a better manager for having gone through everything here."

Which hints at why he felt, for all the attachment, Liverpool could not be said 'no' to.

"Look at Owen Coyle. A couple of years ago he was touted as being the next Liverpool manager. He's now out of work," he added.

"I've spoken to managers and we've all seen it. It's why loyalty is with supporters.

"It's their club and they love it. I will go into a club and give it everything.

"I felt I did that at Swansea, an incredible place, and, whatever reaction I do get, hopefully over time people will see my piece of work and history."

Source: WalesOnline