Boss: My message to players after United 23rd Mar 2015 - Latest News please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Author: Phil Reade Brendan Rodgers has told his players to respond to Sunday's defeat against Manchester United in the same way they bounced back from losing out to their rivals at Old Trafford in December. The Reds sought to move into the Barclays Premier League top four with a victory over the Red Devils, but it wasn't to be as Louis van Gaal's side departed L4 with three precious points. Juan Mata scored twice, Steven Gerrard was dismissed within a minute of taking to the field as a half-time substitute and, despite a Daniel Sturridge goal and Simon Mignolet's late penalty save, there was to be no equaliser in the game. The defeat leaves Liverpool five points adrift of United in the table, with eight games still to play before the end of the season, but Rodgers believes his side can still finish strongly and pile pressure upon their rivals. Asked whether the Reds could emulate their achievements of recent months by responding to defeat at the hands of United, the boss replied: "That was the message to the players. "That last performance at Old Trafford was a great springboard for us. We went on and, up until this point [against United], we hadn't lost a league game. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Brendan: Second-half was a big improvement "So now we must use this similarly. We must use this in the same way; refocus, get over the disappointment and then come back into a tough game next against Arsenal and really look to get the points there. "We had a 10-game objective that we set. Built into that was that we were not going to win every single game. It's still very much [possible] for us to go where we want to go, which is the top four. We just need to fight that bit harder and make up a five-point difference." Rodgers felt his players afforded United too much space throughout the first half of the clash, falling deeper into their own half and failing to press the opposition to the high standard seen at Anfield in recent months. "I think it was clear that in the first half we gave them too much room," he added. "They were able to control the game much better than us and they deserved the lead at half-time. "Second half, we looked to change it. Obviously, we went down to 10 men early, but then I thought the players really demonstrated their quality and their fight and their spirit to keep going right to the very end. "They went 2-0 behind against a good side. They got the goal back to 2-1 and they were in the game right until the very end. I've got great pride in the players. I'm disappointed with the result and performance, but they've kept going." http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/182180-boss-my-message-to-players-after-united please log in to view this image
One poor result, one stupid sending off doesn't define our performances since Christmas and shouldn't define the rest of the season
He needs to tweak things: - Get the full backs higher up the pitch to help with pressing in the midfield and closing the space. - Do not play Lallana - Player Sterling alongside Sturridge with Coutinho in behind, in a 3-4-1-2. At the moment, we're playing a 3-4-2-1 and we don't have anyone who can play as a 1.
Unfortunately though it could well define the rest of the season. We very much need other results to go our way otherwise even if we win our remaining games (still a monumental achievement) we would still be 5th, with another year playing footie in decaying stadia in Bulgaria and top players snubbing us all summer long
We need to keep the faith like we did last season and for those who go to the game,[I don't get to nearly as many as I'd like to] roar them past the finish line. If it's EL then at least we get to dabble our toes - as opposed to diving in - and gain more and more experience playing abroad so that next season when we do make CL, we take that forward with more success. With regard to attracting players, we couldn't do that this season with CL. We don't have a manager with the pulling power or an efficient transfer team and like you - I'm guessing - getting a bit tired of always being the bridesmaid, however all we have is passion and patience so I'm sitting back and enjoying the ride.
but it will sorry but reality is it was a six pointer and has given us a moutain to climb so as much as we all ike some positivity coming out of things we'd better get real and see that next game is another 6 pointer and can end our league challenge if we lose it.
You wont win all of the other games and while I would like a draw between you and the goons, they will probably win.
Are you going to beat City at home, Arsenal at home and Chelsea away?.There are going to be more twists and turns. Not over yet.
Lose at Arsenal and United win at home to Villa and it's all over bar the shouting, an effective 9 point gap with 7 left would be unachievable. In fact, lose at Arsenal and you'll need us and Burnley to come up trumps to stop you falling to 7th.
