Rodgers admitted: "We just weren't good enough. Offensively we were bright, we created chances but our defending wasn't good enough. You also have to give credit to Southampton. Today's a reminder that we need to build the squad and improve."
Southampton ripped into Liverpool from the start and moved ahead in the sixth minute. Rickie Lambert's arching cross from the right was headed back by the outstanding Jay Rodriquez and Morgan Schneiderlin's flick was sufficiently well-angled to creep beyond Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones. Adam Lallana smashed just over after Liverpool struggled to clear a corner and moments later the home side should have been two ahead but Lambert, finding himself clean through, drummed a shot against Jones's legs.
Southampton, with England manager Roy Hodgson looking on, were irresistible and the second goal arrived in the 33rd minute. Lambert's 20-yard free-kick appeared to take a nick off Danny Sturridge, manning the Liverpool wall, on its way past Jones. It might have been even worse for the shell-shocked visitors five minutes later but Rodriguez's shot skidded just wide.
Yet Southampton never looked completely secure at the back. Substitute Jose Fonte stepped in with a key interception to cut off Sturridge's supply to the well-placed Luis Suárez, then Philippe Coutinho should have done a lot better than shoot at Artur Boruc when clean through. However, the Brazilian winger made no mistake in first-half added time, tucking away a rebound after Sturridge's shot had been blocked.
It seemed harsh on Southampton after such a rousing first-half performance but their determination, as well as their attacking verve, remained undimmed after the interval. Liverpool had replaced Joe Allen with Lucas in an attempt to get a grip on midfield but Southampton still surged forward.
Liverpool improved somewhat on their anonymous first-half display and Boruc had to beware the increasingly greasy conditions to deal cleanly with Steven Gerrard's 77th-minute piledriver.
Yet there could be no denying Southampton. A minute later, Lallana burst through but found Jones smothering the ball at his feet.
It hardly mattered a further minute later when the Liverpool defence were again shredded by a run from outside the penalty area. Rodriguez galloped through and though Jones pushed out his first effort, the Southampton striker tucked away the rebound.
This was only Pochettino's second win in eight attempts as Southampton manager. His only previous success had come against league champions Manchester City. Perhaps it is the big occasion that brings the best out of the Argentine coach and his players. Chelsea, the next visitors to St Mary's on Easter Saturday, had better beware.
No comments:
Post a Comment