Former Manchester United defender Paul McGrath has hailed the work of Brendan Rodgers for reviving Liverpool's fortunes.

McGrath wrote in the Sunday World: "If Liverpool win the FA Cup and secure a place in the 2015/6 Champions League, then we will have to take our hats off to Brendan Rodgers for one of the great managerial efforts.

"Back in December, the Scousers were down and out and some people were calling for the manager's head on a plate. They were out of the Champions League and mid-table in the Premier League, the great promise of last season seemed lost and gone with Luis Suarez.

"But the turnaround has been dramatic, thanks to Rodgers' calmness in the crisis, to the return to fitness of striker Daniel Sturridge and the fact that Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson have stepped up and given leadership, authority and direction to a sinking season.

"Not even Steven Gerrard's announcement that he was leaving Anfield in the summer has upset the Liverpool progress."