Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes that it wasn't necessary for the Merseyside club to sack Kenny Dalglish at the end of last season.

While the 32-year-old, who rejoined his Liverpool teammates this week for pre-season training in Boston, would have been happy to keep Dalglish at the helm, the England skipper has insisted that new boss Brendan Rodgers is 'impressive'.

"At the end of last season, I didn't think that [changes needed to be made]," said Gerrard. "We had done so well in the cups. I thought we would have improved.

"So when Kenny left it was a big shock and disappointment. I love Kenny. But what has happened has happened. I understood the decision. Finishing eighth was not good enough.

"I'd had text messages and calls throughout the Euros from Brendan and he has made me aware of what he's trying to do. Every time you speak to him you can't help but be impressed."

Gerrard is expected to feature for the Reds when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in a pre-season friendly in Baltimore this weekend.