Liverpool manager Rodgers ends son's FA Cup dream
Reds knock out Oldham Athletic, but Brendan Rodgers plays role of proud dad as 20-year-old son Anton comes on as a substitute for vistors
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was an immensely proud but competitive dad at Anfield on Sunday as his Premier League side overcame the FA Cup challenge of his son’s third-tier Oldham Athletic.
Liverpool were 2-0 up with seven minutes remaining of their FA Cup third-round clash against Oldham, who dumped them out of the competition at the same stage last year, when the visitors brought on 20-year-old midfielder Anton Rodgers, Brendan’s son.
“It’s brilliant, I’ve seen Anton’s life from when he was a young footballer and to see him run out there was a bit surreal really,” Rodgers said. “He’s a great kid and we’re very proud of him as mother and father. He’s having a good career and Oldham are a brilliant club for him, they really look after him well. They’ve got an outstanding young manager who will go on to do really well and he’s got a young team and they’ve got a great spirit.
“I’ve seen them a number of times and Anton’s obviously playing a part in that. It’s a great moment in his career and, as a father, it’s even more special that he gets a nice round of applause from the Liverpool supporters as well.”
Rodgers had shuffled his pack for the Oldham clash and left Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Leiva on the bench but all three came on in the second half as the visitors frustrated the seven-times winners in a flat opening period.
It’s brilliant, I’ve seen Anton’s life from when he was a young footballer and to see him run out there was a bit surreal really
Iago Aspas broke the deadlock for the hosts in the 54th minute with his first for the club before Raheem Sterling’s shot went in off James Tarkowski with eight minutes remaining to make the game safe.