Brendan Rodgers‘ three-year spell at Liverpool was full of ups and downs, but ended without the Northern Irishman ending the club’s long wait for a Premier League title. He came close to doing so in the 2013-14 season with the Reds on course to become champions until a collapse of monumental proportions.

Liverpool “let it slip” and squandered the title with two weeks of the campaign remaining. One of their huge setbacks was a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Anfield, and it was Steven Gerrard, who had so long been their saviour, who was the guilty party.

Gerrard slipped, allowing Demba Ba to race through on goal and put the Blues ahead and blow the title race wide open. It was a devastating turn of events for the iconic former England international, and he unfortunately and undeservedly finished his career without winning a Premier League title.

Rodgers backed his skipper, saying it was “unfortunate” although he acknowledged that the Chelsea game “made the difference” as Manchester City eventually took the title. He even went on record to suggest Gerrard was “the best player to play in the Premier League”.

That didn’t appear to be his stance in 2012, though, when he gave an XI of players he felt were the greatest in Premier League history. He gave a star-studded lineup during an appearance on BBC’s Match of the Day 3.

Peter Schmeichel

Goalkeeper

Brendan Rodgers’ admiration of Peter Schmeichel may have played a role in his decision to bring the legendary Danish goalkeeper’s son, Kasper, to Celtic. Manchester United’s 1999 treble-winning goalkeeper was an imposing presence in Sir Alex Ferguson’s team during the 1990s.

Schmeichel often finds himself named in debates over the best goalkeeper in Premier League history, and rightfully so. He could pull off all sorts of acrobatic saves while his leadership made him the perfect organiser of an already resilient United defence.

Rodgers described Kasper Schmeichel as “brave” and “competitive” and they are definitely traits he’s taken from his dad. It’s not often Ferguson is intimidated, but he once admitted that his Dane frightened him.

Gary Neville

Right-Back

Jamie Carragher once said, “Nobody grows up wanting to be a Gary Neville,” but he was one of the very best the Premier League has ever seen and made Brendan Rodgers’ team. The former Manchester United captain loved flying down the channel and connecting with wingers such as David Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo.

It wasn’t just Neville’s intent to get forward that went under the radar, but he was also an excellent reader of the game. Ferguson didn’t hesitate to place the armband on him following Roy Keane’s departure, and he cemented his legacy as one of England’s greatest right-backs.

Rodgers worked with similar workhorse right-backs at Liverpool in Glen Johnson and Nathaniel Clyne. But they don’t come close to Neville, who, alongside Schmeichel, claimed the treble in 1999.

Tony Adams

Centre-Back

The first centre-back selected by Brendan Rodgers was Tony Adams, who was a “stopper”, relishing the hard work that comes with defending. The iconic former Arsenal captain starred under Arsene Wenger and paved the way for the gritty centre-backs that have graced the game during the 21st century.

Adams spent his entire career with the Gunners and didn’t just keep the opposition at bay as he was a threat when a ball was floated into the box. He was another prime example of the perfect skipper and fits the criteria that Rodgers thinks are required when leading a team of such stature:

“You need to have big personality on and off the pitch but you also need to have the humility.”

John Terry

Centre-Back

With Brendan Rodgers choosing John Terry as his other centre-back, it’s clear the profile of defender that the Northern Irishman admires. There were few flaws in the Chelsea hero’s game, and he was a world-class stalwart who was vital throughout his lengthy Stamford Bridge tenure.

Terry wasn’t afraid to fly into tackles, put his head on the line and played with a never-say-die attitude instilled in him by Jose Mourinho. Rodgers, who served as Mourinho’s assistant, dubbed the former England skipper a “warrior” in 2015:

“I worked here [Stamford Bridge] for four years with John Terry. He is the best centre-half in the league in his years,” he added. “A wonderful passer of the ball and a warrior.”

Ashley Cole

Left-Back

Ashley Cole apparently could have joined Brendan Rodgers at Anfield in the summer of 2014 when his Chelsea departure was confirmed. Brendan Rodgers reportedly wanted to sign him as a free agent because of his experience, per This is Anfield.

There have been few left-backs in England’s history more talented than Cole, who gave any winger, including Cristiano Ronaldo, a hard time. He was a nuisance with his energy, accomplished tackling abilities and high footballing IQ that saw him star at Stamford Bridge.

Cole was a member of Arsenal’s Invincibles team of 2004, and his growth at Highbury saw him reach superstardom. He got his hands on a deserved UEFA Champions League with the Blues in 2012.

Roy Keane

Central Midfield

While there has already been a strong group of candidates to wear the captain’s armband in Brendan Rodgers’ dream Premier League XI, they’d all likely cower to Roy Keane. The Irishman took no prisoners every time he took to the pitch, playing for the badge, whether that meant playing dirty or going to war with rival midfielders.

Rodgers explained:

“A wee bit of bite in there with Roy Keane: win it, give it.”

Keane’s fiery personality sometimes makes many forget just how talented he was with the ball at his feet. His performance in Manchester United’s 1999 Champions League semi-final win over Juventus is one of the best you’ll see from a midfielder.

Paul Scholes

Central Midfield

Nobody has asked Brendan Rodgers who he rates highest out of Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard but his answer could go the way of the Manchester United legend. He spoke glowingly of the versatile former Red Devils star:

“I went for a sort of triangle in midfield with Scholes, who is one of the best passers of the ball in the duration of the Premier League.”

Scholes was Sir Alex Ferguson’s lynchpin during the glory days at Old Trafford and his magic with the ball seemingly had Rodgers just as entertained as United fans:

“I was asked to pick my best Premier League team and he was the first player I picked – I can’t compliment him any higher than that.”

Cristiano Ronaldo

Right Wing

You can get carried away throwing all sorts of superlatives at Cristiano Ronaldo regarding his illustrious career as he continues to break records. There was nothing quite like watching him toy with the opposition during his first spell at Manchester United.

Ronaldo can infuriate fans because his dedication to the game often gives the impression of arrogance. But his hard work paid off, becoming a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and the greatest goalscorer in football history.

Brendan Rodgers explained how players look up to the former Red Devils right-winger as a role model (via Metro):

“What an advocate for every player, young and old, how to look after yourself, how to devote your life to your career, to have that hunger, that ambition, that drive, that willpower to win and succeed.”

Thierry Henry

Left Wing

Thierry Henry got into Brendan Rodgers’ XI on the left, and there’s no denying the Frenchman a place in any all-time Premier League-related XI. How he set the top-flight alight has many crowning him as the best player the English game has ever witnessed.

Arsene Wenger converted Henry into a domineering number nine but he started his career on the left side of attack. Rodgers’ old employers, Liverpool, certainly knew how formidable Henry was during his time at Highbury.

Rodgers isn’t alone in his admiration of Henry, as his former captain, Steven Gerrard, also holds him in high regard. The Kop icon dubbed him the Premier League ‘GOAT’.

Gianfranco Zola

Attacking Midfield