First the Game for Liverpool VS Manchester City

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has thanked Premier League rivals Manchester City for giving him back his self-belief.

Brendan Rodgers is seen as a rival by Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini

As Rodgers prepared to face City at Anfield this weekend, he reflected on how easily he could have ended up working for Roberto Mancini. City manager Mancini offered Rodgers the chance to join his coaching staff in January 2010, and the two men met in Italy to discuss a role.

The opportunity came up when Rodgers' fledgling managerial career had taken a dip, with Reading having sacked him in December 2009 after only six months. He rejected the chance to join Mancini, instead taking charge of Swansea the following July and guiding them to the Premier League in his first season.
First the Game for   Liverpool VS Manchester City

Rodgers told the Sunday Mirror: "I was out of the game after leaving Reading and got a call from Brian Marwood saying there was a possibility of me going to Manchester City.

"I spent a couple of days up there, looking at the project and everything. Then I flew to Milan and met Roberto.

"It was really exciting and I didn't think I was going to get a manager's job, so the next best thing would have been at least working with top-class players. But then I got the call from Swansea to be their No. 1 and the chance to manage a great club like that was too good to turn down, irrespective of money and whatever.

"City coming in for me was good for my confidence. I was grateful because at the time I was on the outside looking in. They gave me back my confidence. I went to Swansea and thankfully everything has worked out well."