Swansea winger Nathan Dyer has praised Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers ahead of the sides’ clash at the Liberty Stadium, hoping that his former boss gets a ‘good reception’.

The Northern Irishman was boss at the club for two years and enjoyed considerable success in that time, earning promotion to the Premier League in his first season.

He then attracted widespread praise for the flowing football played in the side’s first Premier League season as they confounded their critics and finished comfortably above the relegation zone in 11th.

In the summer though, he left for Liverpool, and Dyer was full of his praise for his managerial expertise, wishing him a warm welcome at his old ground.

“[He has] great man-management. He made you feel confident in your ability. And last season he made everyone feel part of the team and gave us the belief that we could beat anyone,” he told The Guardian.

“Hopefully he gets a good reception, he definitely should do. But I think it’s going to be bad. Fans often think: ‘If you’re not with us, you’re against us.'”

The diminutive Englishman also refused to begrudge his former manager’s decision to leave the Liberty Stadium for pastures new.

“I think it was a great opportunity for him. Nobody can argue that, if a big team comes in for your manager, he shouldn’t consider it,” he continued.

“He did great work here but you always want to test yourself at a higher level. So I don’t blame him for going.”