He did ok, he's not that great at left back though, but at least he got his foot on the ball and try to play it. Gerrard, Moses and Sturridge fucked me off more than most today. And Aspas, obv.
Liverpool vs Southampton Post Match Thoughts..
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He did ok, he's not that great at left back though, but at least he got his foot on the ball and try to play it. Gerrard, Moses and Sturridge fucked me off more than most today. And Aspas, obv.
We desperatly lack someone who can controll the midfield. Lucas isnt good enough and Gerrard needs a kick up the backside. The partnership isnt working either
Brendan Rodgers acknowledged his frustration and admitted Liverpool were below par following their 1-0 defeat to Southampton at Anfield on Saturday.
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The Reds suffered their first defeat of 2013-14 as Dejan Lovren's second-half header secured three points for the visitors.
Afterwards, Rodgers was honest in his appraisal of his side's performance.
He told his post-match press conference: "I think both [the result and performance] were very disappointing, in all honesty.
"We never really got going from the off - it was a bit lethargic and technically we were short today, so it was a very disappointing result and performance for us.
"As I said, technically, I was really disappointed today. I thought we never really got going and we were flat and slow in our game.
"Which hasn't been like us. We've normally started games very well. But we'll just put it down as one of those days and now we need to go on another good run."
Rodgers elected to select a back four consisting of Kolo Toure, Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Mamdou Sakho for the contest - and reporters quizzed the boss on his reasoning.
He explained: "It was really what we had available. We've got Glen Johnson out injured and Martin Kelly's only returning - he's had a few games, but he's still trying to work up his fitness having been out for a year.
"Jose Enrique is one we've got to keep an eye on his knee. He's got an issue with his knee and if there is an overload on that, it could maybe put him out longer term. We've got Cissokho out already, so it [Enrique's knee] was one we needed to keep an eye on.
"Kolo and Mamadou have played at full-back before, but obviously you lose a wee bit of that offensive threat. They coped as well as they possibly could.
"I thought Toure was exceptional today with his enthusiasm and drive to try get into the game.
"But I just felt from the off we never really got going and then to cap it off we gave away a really poor goal from a corner.
"In the build up to it, we conceded possession poorly and then ended up conceding a corner. To have so many defensive-minded players, to lose a goal like that was criminal, really."
Agger, who missed Monday's 2-2 draw with Swansea due to a knock, was replaced by Jose Enrique on 57 minutes.
Rodgers continued: "He's had the problem with his side. We needed him to play, really. He hadn't trained all week and felt a bit of pain in the game, so we decide to take him off, try and be a bit more offensive and see if we could get 30 minutes or so out of Enrique.
"It's not ideal to have to play that [four centre-backs]. If it's something where we don't have players back fit and recovered, we may have to look at a different system that allows it to work.
"But we'll just accept that today we're not happy and we'll look forward to Wednesday night."
In addition to Glen Johnson and Aly Cissokho, Liverpool were also without the injured Philippe Coutinho, who was ruled out until towards the end of October due to a shoulder injury.
"We've been unfortunate to lose a number of injured players all at the same time," said Rodgers. "And when you bring out the likes of Glen Johnson and Phil Coutinho and you haven't got Suarez in your team, then it can make a big difference.
"But we have what we have and the players have been brilliant. Today hurts, because we haven't tasted defeat for such a long time. I'm still very optimistic for the season. We've had good wins and we've drawn.
"Obviously the defeat today was hard to swallow, but our optimism is very much intact and we feel we can have a really good season."
Meanwhile, journalists asked Rodgers about the return of Luis Suarez from suspension.
The striker completed his ban against the Saints and will now become available for selection.
"I think that's a positive from today; the fact that he is back now, the ban has finished and he's available from next week," said Rodgers.
"But I can't underestimate how well the players have done. It's worth mentioning that this is our first defeat since March, where we lost against Southampton. So we've had two poor performances against them and it's cost us.
"In that period the players have been brilliant. Today was one of those days when we were right off it.
"Sometimes in these games it's players like him [Suarez], who can make the difference. It's going to be great to have him back."
On Suarez's fitness, Rodgers added: "I think he's in a good condition and he's been playing games, both behind closed doors and ones that have been organised for him. He's been doing a lot of specific work with the conditioning teams.
"He's obviously not going be 100 per cent, when you come into these sorts of cup games and these games that are at a greater intensity.
"But he's a worker and he's a fighter and his condition is good. He's in a good place. He just needs to get games to bring him right up to full speed."
Most Recent News
Saints subject Reds to first defeat
Photo gallery: Reds' unbeaten run end…
Agger and Aspas back against Saints
LFC 0-1 Southampton: Live updates
U18s held in six-goal Norwich thrille…
The Reds suffered their first defeat of 2013-14 as Dejan Lovren's second-half header secured three points for the visitors.
Afterwards, Rodgers was honest in his appraisal of his side's performance.
He told his post-match press conference: "I think both [the result and performance] were very disappointing, in all honesty.
"We never really got going from the off - it was a bit lethargic and technically we were short today, so it was a very disappointing result and performance for us.
"As I said, technically, I was really disappointed today. I thought we never really got going and we were flat and slow in our game.
"Which hasn't been like us. We've normally started games very well. But we'll just put it down as one of those days and now we need to go on another good run."
Rodgers elected to select a back four consisting of Kolo Toure, Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Mamdou Sakho for the contest - and reporters quizzed the boss on his reasoning.
He explained: "It was really what we had available. We've got Glen Johnson out injured and Martin Kelly's only returning - he's had a few games, but he's still trying to work up his fitness having been out for a year.
"Jose Enrique is one we've got to keep an eye on his knee. He's got an issue with his knee and if there is an overload on that, it could maybe put him out longer term. We've got Cissokho out already, so it [Enrique's knee] was one we needed to keep an eye on.
"Kolo and Mamadou have played at full-back before, but obviously you lose a wee bit of that offensive threat. They coped as well as they possibly could.
"I thought Toure was exceptional today with his enthusiasm and drive to try get into the game.
"But I just felt from the off we never really got going and then to cap it off we gave away a really poor goal from a corner.
"In the build up to it, we conceded possession poorly and then ended up conceding a corner. To have so many defensive-minded players, to lose a goal like that was criminal, really."
Agger, who missed Monday's 2-2 draw with Swansea due to a knock, was replaced by Jose Enrique on 57 minutes.
Rodgers continued: "He's had the problem with his side. We needed him to play, really. He hadn't trained all week and felt a bit of pain in the game, so we decide to take him off, try and be a bit more offensive and see if we could get 30 minutes or so out of Enrique.
"It's not ideal to have to play that [four centre-backs]. If it's something where we don't have players back fit and recovered, we may have to look at a different system that allows it to work.
"But we'll just accept that today we're not happy and we'll look forward to Wednesday night."
In addition to Glen Johnson and Aly Cissokho, Liverpool were also without the injured Philippe Coutinho, who was ruled out until towards the end of October due to a shoulder injury.
"We've been unfortunate to lose a number of injured players all at the same time," said Rodgers. "And when you bring out the likes of Glen Johnson and Phil Coutinho and you haven't got Suarez in your team, then it can make a big difference.
"But we have what we have and the players have been brilliant. Today hurts, because we haven't tasted defeat for such a long time. I'm still very optimistic for the season. We've had good wins and we've drawn.
"Obviously the defeat today was hard to swallow, but our optimism is very much intact and we feel we can have a really good season."
Meanwhile, journalists asked Rodgers about the return of Luis Suarez from suspension.
The striker completed his ban against the Saints and will now become available for selection.
"I think that's a positive from today; the fact that he is back now, the ban has finished and he's available from next week," said Rodgers.
"But I can't underestimate how well the players have done. It's worth mentioning that this is our first defeat since March, where we lost against Southampton. So we've had two poor performances against them and it's cost us.
"In that period the players have been brilliant. Today was one of those days when we were right off it.
"Sometimes in these games it's players like him [Suarez], who can make the difference. It's going to be great to have him back."
On Suarez's fitness, Rodgers added: "I think he's in a good condition and he's been playing games, both behind closed doors and ones that have been organised for him. He's been doing a lot of specific work with the conditioning teams.
"He's obviously not going be 100 per cent, when you come into these sorts of cup games and these games that are at a greater intensity.
"But he's a worker and he's a fighter and his condition is good. He's in a good place. He just needs to get games to bring him right up to full speed."
There was no doubt in my mind we wouldn't win this. It was a matter of time. We've been shit all season.
Unsurprisingly hysterical as usual. We haven't been "shit" all season, we've not played full 90 minute games for one reason or another, but we were top this morning, give it up.
Did you read the post above yours? Who would you have played?
T
the_khl
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Agger was half injured and hadn't trained all week.
Look he played poorly and so did most of them but you just don't pick a player with his injury record when carrying a knock and with 4 other CBs available. What did he expect?
I am inclined not to blame the players today despite that is what Rodgers do in that interview. He should take blame simple as.
Look he played poorly and so did most of them but you just don't pick a player with his injury record when carrying a knock and with 4 other CBs available. What did he expect?
I am inclined not to blame the players today despite that is what Rodgers do in that interview. He should take blame simple as.
Which 4 centre backs mate? Granted he could have played Wisdom but Enriques knock was probably worse than Aggers.
Agger has lost his man on countless of goals now. How hard is it to mark your fucking man.
He's a good player but get the basics right.
No you need Henderson in midfield otherwise there will be no running there whatsoever.
True. Maybe Kelly is ready for a start vs Sunderland.
Could play him against Man Utd to see but I'd rather beat them.
T
the_khl
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Toure was our best player once again and he is dearly needed anywhere on the pitch but as you say we'd probably earn most from playing him in central even if it's Wisdom as the last RB option.
There is no point in picking Agger if he is not fit to train.
This is just one minor part of the mess today because the real issue seems to be further up the pitch and I am starting to believe Rodgers has once again made a major cock up in the transfer market.
First Season we had to rely on one striker as Carroll was let go and no one was brought in instead. Sturridge then filled that gap in Jan.
Second Season all creativity seems to rely on Coutinho as we have failed to address the obvious lack of depth in that department too. We can only hope that gap then will be filled in Jan but then we'll probably have to wait another Season to actually make a push.
I felt we were so close this Season to have a team capable of competing for the title, mainly due to the crazy good signings in Sturridge and Coutinho and the fact Sarez stayed put, now it just feels like we are more or less in the same state as last Season at the same stage.
It is really disappointing.
T
the_khl
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I can not muster the energy to another Agger bashing debate on here, fair enough that a lot of you don't rate him and think he's a liability.
I think you are wrong no matter how much you think it was his goal today or not.
T
the_khl
Guest
Skrtel, Toure, Sakho, Wisdom and what about Ilori and Kelly?
Its not an Agger bashing mate. Its just a shame he fucks up marking his man.
I rate him a lot but I'd rather he was better at marking than passin the ball. He's a defender.
Could have played Wisdom but he was all over the place against Swansea. Kelly isnt fit yet and Ilori is probably not ready yet.
T
the_khl
Guest
Look what happens when defenders are not that good at passing the ball though, wasn't that what gave them the chance in the first place?
And Agger is a rather good defender too, for instance we didn't concede a goal in the first three games when he played with two different partners.
And it is bashing even if you say it isn't. A defender whom you claim can't man mark, is bashing.
And now I am drawn into another Agger argue........
*waves tiny flag*
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the_khl
Guest
You don't play Mr. Fragile when he is injured, even if Flanagan or Robinson was your very last option. You just don't.
I kinda half agree with this post and half disagree.
Agree with Agger, if he couldn't train he shouldn't have played. Rogers should have played Sakho in CB and trusted a youngster at LB.
Don't agree with the Carroll situation. Carroll can't play the style of football Rodgers wanted, so to me the team will just be playing with 10 men if he stayed. I believe Rodgers tried to get another creative midfielder but they didn't want to come to Liverpool. So be it, their loss and not worth us bleating about it.
Unlike last season we have Suarez, Coutinho and Sturridge but not from the get-go. Suarez was a tit for the biting and we lost out for 10 games. So far, it only mattered today where we needed a little creativity. No one can predict when an injury can happen so it's unfortunate we lost Coutinho and nearly lost Sturridge, if it wasn't for the International break. Hopefully, all 3 will be available in October and we have an amazing attacking line-up. It's clear Aspas is a back-up striker, so he's only playing because of the Suarez ban. It now looks like he'll continue until Coutinho returns, although I'd be tempted with Albert.
Our problem is midfield. Gerrard is off the boil, Lucas is Lucas and Henderson is our water-carrier. He'll run and run and run but he can't dictate play. I'd bench Gerrard and put in Allen. If it doesn't work then sub him for Gerrard.
Erm yeah we have. Really poor second halves against Villa, Swansea and United, and shit today.
I wouldn't get too over the top with being top. We've done well in terms of getting points on the board when we haven't played well, which is encouraging, but it was a matter of time before hoping to get a goal first half and sitting back for the rest of the game, all while playing disjointed football, was going to come back to haunt us.
Maybe everything is rosy, though, I don't know.
T
the_khl
Guest
Yeah, lets hope it was a blip only.
PS Agger has just said he made him self available for selection and that he is now cursing his own stupidity once again as obviously wasn't fit and is now feeling more injured, and that it is not his first time either being this stupid.
Rodgers will not get any more slack from me over picking him then. Soz Brendan.
PS Agger has just said he made him self available for selection and that he is now cursing his own stupidity once again as obviously wasn't fit and is now feeling more injured, and that it is not his first time either being this stupid.
Rodgers will not get any more slack from me over picking him then. Soz Brendan.
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