Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has played down reports suggesting former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is being lined up to succeed him, and insisted he is used to coping under extreme pressure after his time at Inter Milan.

The 63-year-old, who vacated the Fulham hot-seat to take over at Anfield in the summer, has seen the Reds struggle and they head into their meeting with Blackburn Rovers later today 18th in the 20-team Premier League, with only six points from a possible 24.

It's all speculation. I had two and a half years of that kind of thing at Inter Milan.
Roy Hodgson on reports Liverpool are lining up Frank Rijkaard to replace him

Reports have linked Rijkaard with a move to Merseyside following his dismissal by Turkish side Galatasaray, but Hodgson takes the stories with a pinch of salt.

"I understand Rijkaard has just been sacked from Galatasaray - he must be a great manager to have been sacked by Galatasaray," Hodgson told The People. "What you are talking about is Frank Rijkaard's agent who is putting his name around.

"It's all speculation. I had two and a half years of that kind of thing at Inter Milan, when every day there would be stuff in the newspapers that someone was going to get my job.

"It ended up with my being offered a new contract when I left for Blackburn! If I took two and a half years of that in Milan then I can take two and a half years of it here at Liverpool - don't worry about that."