Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes he had a 'close shave' when rejecting the opportunity to become Tottenham manager , according to the Daily Express.

Rodgers was approached by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy over the possibility of replacing Harry Redknapp in the summer of 2012, and claims he is happy he overlooked the offer in favour of becoming manager of Liverpool.

Tottenham went on to appoint Andre Villas-Boas, who was sacked on Monday following a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Rodgers Liverpool side.

Rodgers claims the prospect of working for owners who would allow him time to build his own team was what swung his decision.

When asked how he viewed events at Tottenham following the Villas-Boas’s dismissal, Rodgers said: “A close shave.

“They are a great club and one of the things I looked at was their history. They’d had 11 managers in 18 years there.

“I needed to create something. I needed to go to a club who were going to give me that opportunity.”

Liverpool could well find themselves top of the Premier League at Christmas if they manage to beat Cardiff at Anfield tomorrow, and Arsenal fail to get maximum points when Chelsea visit the Emirates on Monday night.

That would go a long way to justifying the faith shown in him by Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, who stuck by their man after a difficult start to life in the Anfield hot seat.

“Never once have I ever felt under any pressure,” said Rodgers.

“They were very strong and committed in the choice they made and hopefully everyone, including the supporters and players, are getting their rewards for that.They know where they want the club to go and they are prepared to give it that time to evolve.”

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