The Northern Irishman believes some of the comments made in the media recently are risible but admits using the press is an essential part of modern-day management

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes the level of mind games within the Premier League is “getting stupid”.

Arsene Wenger has accused his rivals of having a “fear of failure” over their reluctance to declare themselves as title candidates, to which Jose Mourinho branded the Arsenal boss “a specialist in failure”.

Rodgers, however, has refused to be drawn into any psychological battles and insists mind games between coaches are mainly for the benefit of the media.

“It is getting stupid now, isn’t it?” the Northern Irishman told reporters at a press conference on Friday.

“It is probably more for the media, who will make more of it than it actually is.

“As a modern-day manager, there are so many elements you have to have to your profile at this level; it is more than just the coaching on the field, it is managing the welfare of the players, media, and the psychology of it all has always been the case.

“I can only speak for myself and it [mind games] has nothing to do with me.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers believes it will be interesting to see the effects of Liverpool’s 5-1 win against Arsenal when the two sides face off again in the FA Cup on Sunday.

The Reds’ comprehensive win over Wenger’s side helped knock the Gunners off top spot in the Premier League and the 41-year-old believes Arsenal were “nervous” going into their next game, against Manchester United on Wednesday.

“You could see Arsenal were nervous in the game the other night, you could sense that,” Rodgers explained.

“It’s never easy when you get exposed like that but mainly it was down to our brilliance on the day, really. We were outstanding.

“Usually a team will get time to get over a defeat like that so to come across us so quickly afterwards, it will be interesting to see the effects.

“When you put in a performance like we did against Arsenal, who were top of the league, it is one that can stick in the mind a wee bit more. But they will be motivated for this game.

“Players at this level are really competitive and will want to show the defeat is past them. They have some outstanding players, they have real quality right throughout the team and they have the quality to come back.

“But if we can get anywhere near the level we were at in the league game we will have a great chance of winning.”