Liverpool looking to stabilise

The Merseysiders - in the Europa League by virtue of winning last season's Carling Cup - were seeded in Group Two and awaits the winner of the second qualifying round tie between Gomel and Renova, which the Belarusians lead 2-0 going into the second leg.

Rodgers, the former Swansea boss appointed as Liverpool manager this season after the sacking of Kenny Dalglish, will be looking to make an immediate impact in this early European assignment ahead of the English Premier League season, which gets under way a little over a week after it plays the second leg.

Top-flight success will be paramount after the Reds' disappointing eighth-placed finish in the 2011-12 campaign, although it seems the hierarchy at the club are being realistic in their expectations.

This time last year Henry, as lead figure for owners Fenway Sports Group, told Dalglish the requirement was a top-four finish, but no such demands are being put on Rodgers - or at least, not at this early stage of his reign.

"We don't want to put any pressure on Brendan by saying you have got to make the Champions League this year," said Henry, who has seen the Liverpool squad close up this week as it has been in Boston preparing for its pre-season tour of the United States.

"Of course he wants to make the Champions League, we all do and so does every team in the Premier League.

"I thought it was realistic last season but we were so far off that pace.

"At this point we're just trying to get things stabilised - that should be one of our goals.''

Rodgers is the third manager since FSG, owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball franchise, took over in October 2010.

It inherited Roy Hodgson from the previous regime but dispensed with him within three months and brought in Dalglish initially to stabilise the club before giving him a three-year contract of which he lasted 12 months.

Referring to the new man at the helm, Henry said: "Brendan has a very structured approach and he plays the kind of football that we think Liverpool fans will love to see.

"You can see why he was appointed. He's an inspirational figure.

"He's very charismatic, he's smart, he knows what he wants to accomplish and he's determined to accomplish it."

Rodgers is beginning to remodel his squad and while he insists there is no chance of England international Andy Carroll leaving Liverpool on loan, he admits the Reds will consider any offers they receive for the striker they paid Newcastle £35 million for in 2011.

"There is talk of him going on loan, but there is absolutely no way I would be looking to loan a player like that, especially after the investment the club have paid," Rodgers said.

"But his condition will be the same as every player. If an offer comes in for any player at the club we would either look at it, or dismiss it, and Andy's no different to that."