‘I was shocked’ – Former Liverpool star takes aim at Rodgers decision
Former Liverpool star Daniel Agger admits he is still at a loss as to why then manager Brendan Rodgers relegated him to the peripheries of the side.
Agger, 36, joined the Reds from Danish side Bronby in January 2006. He dipped his toe in the water with four appearances in the second half of that season. And the former Denmark international enjoyed 27 top-flight outings the following campaign under Rafael Benitez.
Injuries hampered his progress over the next couple of years but he played 23 times in 2009-2010. And, with club legend Kenny Dalglish back at the helm, he was handed 27 outings in 2011-2012.
The Anfield giants lifted the League Cup that season and were runners up the FA Cup. But Rodgers – now in charge of Leicester City – replaced the veteran Scot in the summer of 2012.
Agger was in favour during the Northern Irish tactician’s first season, with 35 league appearances. However, the following season he slipped behind Mamadou Sakho, Martin Skrtel, and Kolo Toure in the pecking order.
The Scandinavian played only 20 times in the Premier League despite being made vice-captain. Now manager of HB Koge, the ex-defender confessed that he has no idea why he fell from grace.
“At the time I was shocked, and I wanted an explanation but no one could give me one,” he told the Athletic. “Still to this day I’d like to know what happened.
“Why did I go from being the new vice-captain and first choice to being fourth centre-back in the space of a few weeks? It was very strange.
“I tried to speak to Brendan back then, but he told me that nothing was wrong. He said I was a big part of his plans but he didn’t show that.”
Stats add mystery to Agger demotion
Despite playing just 20 times in his final season for Liverpool, Agger made a significant contribution. The Merseysiders won 17 of those games in which he was involved and just missed out on winning the title.
“I played 20 league games that season, and we won almost all of them,” he added. “I’m not saying it was my best season, but in terms of results we did very well and kept a lot of clean sheets.
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“It just seemed that every chance he had I was out of the side.”
He returned to Bronby on the summer of 2014 before hanging up his playing boots in 2016. The Hvidovre-born former stopper is now in the dugout at Koge Idraetspark.
And he has guided his side to seventh in the Danish second-tier standings.
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