Agger: No rift with Hodgson

21 September 2010 17:30

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger insists he has no issues with manager Roy Hodgson's tactics and will continue to fight for his place in the team.

Reports in Agger's homeland of Denmark appeared to suggest the defender, did not agree with the style of play under the new Reds boss. However, the 25-year-old claims his comments, given to a Danish television station after Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Manchester United, were subsequently misrepresented by newspapers in his home country.

He said: "I have been involved in every [Premier League] game this season. Of course I'm disappointed when I'm not in the team, but I have been here for five years and really like it here. I wouldn't have stayed for this long if I didn't like it or if I was unhappy. I am still happy and will keep fighting for my place."

On the reports, he added: "I am very disappointed with the papers in Denmark for the way they have done this story. I spoke to Danish TV after the game on Sunday and answered the questions that were put to me. I didn't speak to the papers.

"The problem was the questions never appeared on TV, only the answers did, and then the newspapers put their own questions in. What came out was 100% wrong and that is why I am very disappointed."

The reports suggested Agger was at odds over a long-ball policy which was being implemented by Hodgson. But the centre-back said it was his interviewer - not his manager - who had put forward the idea of pumping passes forward.

"The TV journalist asked me what I needed to do to get back into the team and suggested I should start hitting more long balls," he added. "I said I wouldn't do that because I'm not that kind of player. That's where that quote came from.

"I actually think we play good football and that we have showed that against Manchester United and against Arsenal.

" What I don't understand is that it was only a few days ago when I spoke to the media ahead of the Steaua Bucharest game and said everybody at the club was happier now with the new manager, the new players and the new methods.

"Its strange to read this just a few days later but that's the way the media works, especially in Denmark."

Source: PA