Monday 29 October 2012

Liverpool: Rodgers Frustrated But Proud - Vitalfootball

Following a controversial derby day draw, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers was delighted with his players but less so with the officials...

The 219th Merseyside derby was an exciting affair but disappointingly for the red half of the city, who raced into a lead, they had to eventually be content with a point.

Luis Suarez was Liverpool's hero early on as he helped to give the Reds a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes.

Firstly the Uruguayan's powerful angled drive cannoned into the net off Everton full-back Leighton Baines and then his glancing header, from an expertly delivered Steven Gerrard free kick, doubled the visitor's advantage.

A spirited Everton responded instantly however and within 15 minutes were back on level terms via goals from Leon Osman and Steven Naismith, both of which Liverpool will feel they should have defended better.

Ultimately neither team could find a winner during a quieter second 45 minutes despite numerous openings being created at either end of the pitch.

Sadly for The Reds, Suarez did find the net again in the dying seconds but for some reason his legitimate-looking strike was chalked off by the officials.

Speaking about the contentious incident during his post-match press conference, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers commented: "I was so disappointed that it didn't count because for me it was an easy decision.

"The ball has come from deep and it is in the air for quite a long time. The official is just looking along the line and Coates (Sebastian) is clearly onside when he heads it.

"It's a wonderful finish [from Suarez] and he should have had his second goal of the game.

"It would have been a well-deserved and brilliant win for us. Instead, we are frustrated but at the same time I am very proud."

Liverpool went into the game fielding four derby debutants in the form of Joe Allen, Andre Wisdom, Suso and Raheem Sterling. The latter three of which are all teenagers who are still very much finding their way in the game.

"I look at my team here today in a real cauldron of an atmosphere and how they stood up to everything against a very, very experienced team," continued Rodgers.

"Raheem Sterling is 17 years old, Suso is 18, Andre Wisdom 19, Jonjo Shelvey 20, while Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson are 22. They are all young players who will only grow and get better and better.

"So it was another terrific stride forward for us. We haven't had confirmation yet [as to why the goal was ruled-out] and I will certainly ask the question. But it's gone now, so I'm not going to dwell on it."

The contest also included a couple of challenges that could have led to red cards and an overly exuberant celebration from Suarez in front of the Everton dugout following the opening goal.

But in addition to all the entertainment and incidents, this match was also an interesting watch from a tactical perspective.

Both sides made half-time substitutions with Rodgers bringing on two new players, including South American defender Sebastian Coates, and changing from his favoured 4-3-3 formation to a 5-3-2.

Explaining the decision, the 39-year-old former Swansea City boss said: "They played direct, so I felt we needed that extra body and Seb could come and play central to pull our two centre-backs closer together. It also allowed us to be offensively set up to go and play as well.

"We knew there was going to be a wee bit of room on the side of the midfield but my concern was that whenever they had the ball, it was constantly thumped into the box, so we organised the game to make them play deeper."

In the cold light of day, even with the early lead and contentious disallowed goal, the respective form, experience and league positions of the two teams will probably allow Rodgers, and everyone connected with the club, to take a good deal of satisfaction from the result once the dust has settled.

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