Rodgers’ defence was emphatic. “Everyone knows his value, and he is still a star, but he has been unlucky so far,” he said, according to the report. That feels like the key point.
For elite forwards, form is usually judged by goals alone. But managers often look for a wider picture:
Quinones appears to remain central to Rodgers’ thinking, even if the numbers have not yet caught fire.
The report says Rodgers pointed to disallowed goals and missed breaks as part of the story. That matters, because strikers can look flat on paper while still hovering one clean contact away from a scoring run.
Rodgers also leaned on Quinones’ pedigree. “He is one of the best strikers in my career. He was the top scorer last season without penalties, and he still has the same mentality, but he just needs a bit of luck to get going again,” he said, according to the report.
That is strong backing, and it hints at a manager who sees no need for panic.
Any prediction involving Ivan Toney and Cristiano Ronaldo invites scrutiny. Both names bring status, pressure and expectation in the Saudi Pro League. But that is exactly why Rodgers’ stance stands out: he is not merely defending Quinones, he is publicly framing him as the man to beat.
The next few league matches will sharpen the debate. If Quinones finds his rhythm quickly, this slow start may soon look like little more than an early-season wobble in a much bigger scoring race.