Jason McAteer has given his full backing to Brendan Rodgers amid reports Rafa Benitez is eyeing a return to Liverpool.

Jason McAteer has given his full backing to Brendan Rodgers amid reports Rafa Benitez is eyeing a return to Liverpool.

Rodgers is coming under pressure at Anfield following a difficult start to the season and former boss Benitez has suggested he would be keen on taking on the job again should it become available.

But McAteer insists Rodgers is the right man for the club and is backing the Northern Irishman to prove it in the coming weeks.

“Rafa has spoken many times on the record of his love for Liverpool and I’m sure if he got the opportunity he would come back and manage the club, but you can’t disregard Brendan after a poor start to the season,” said the former Reds ace, speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

"The fans are talking about maybe changing Brendan but I think, on the whole, Liverpool are happy with Brendan Rodgers. I think he will be given time. I certainly don’t think he will be sacked this season.

“People are judging his signings at the minute. They haven’t gone down too well, but he has got a lot of talent in that squad and it is going to take time to integrate them and for the players to believe in his philosophy.

“We have lost [Daniel] Sturridge though injury and Luis Suarez in the summer so it is a big thing to start again. Liverpool have taken a couple of steps backwards but I have big hopes for Brendan Rodgers and I'm sure he will do really, really well in the next few games and we will be talking about Brendan being the manager we talked about last season.”