West Brom - Post Match

[ChesterDave]

Just looking at the fixtures, I can see us having under 20 points from the opening 15 games due to the start we've got. That would be horrific.

We play 80% of the teams in the League once in the first 15 games. Are you seriously saying we will only get 15 points from that?

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Behave. That's relegation form.

I'm sorry but no it isn't

[el matador]

Its really difficult to know what to say.

Theres very little point in panicking because when you take a systems approach to football you need time for everyone to understand their specific roles in the team. Not just when we have the ball but more importantly when we dont. Equally the players then need time to figure out how their roles all interlink and its not just playing off the cuff which is what we did last season.

Its a terrible result but we need to be more patient. Its a lot easier said than done.

Still ruins the weekend and the next few days.

[Muddled]

I'm sorry but no it isn't

Under 20 points after 15 games, is what 17 points? That's 34 points after 30 games with eight games to go.

Under 40 points in a season and you're in trouble., but going into Christmas on 17/18 points is relegation dog-fight points.

It's all hypothetical nonsense anyway.

[markwilfrey]

How can you say not panic. Where do we go from here. Terrible. I think we will finish in bottom half

[McDermotX]

Rodgers Post-match

Rodgers told a post-match press conference: "I thought the scoreline was harsh, I've got to be honest.

"After the first couple of minutes of the game, we got good control and rhythm in our game. Up until they scored the first goal, it looked as though we were the team who were going to get it.

"I've no complaints about the first goal - it was a fantastic strike (by Gera). We defended the (initial) corner quite well with good height and distance on our clearance. Glen Johnson probably couldn't have done any more as he went to press the ball, but it was wonderful technique.

"We were virtually controlling most of the game in the first half, but then we found ourselves 1-0 down.

"I'm not one to go on about referees, but in the second half I thought the two (penalty) decisions - three if you include the sending off - were very, very harsh. I don't think either of the decisions were penalties. If you see them again on the replay, you'll see that they were very, very harsh.

"Obviously then with 10 men and chasing the game, it becomes difficult."

Liverpool went into the break trailing their hosts by Gera's goal, but Rodgers insists he still had belief his side could get something from the contest.

He added: "I still had confidence. I said to the players at half-time that we had controlled the first half and we had to keep our patience, keep moving the ball and normally when that happens the spaces open up and our quality will get us back into the game.

"Like I said, we conceded a penalty and then the sending off kills you, really. Especially for a new team that is coming together in terms of the structure and ideas.

"But I have to give big credit to the players. They ran to a standstill today, even though days like that hurt."

Lukaku's header effectively ended 10-man Liverpool's hopes of a comeback with 13 minutes remaining.

Reporters quizzed the manager whether he was disappointed with the way his side had defended for the goal.

He responded: "We were chasing the game and trying to get back into it, and so obviously that naturally leaves the spaces and things that little bit more open. Instead of sitting at 2-0, we were trying to get back into the game.

"West Brom played a counter-attacking game today, so you're always going to be vulnerable in that position (down to 10 men). But like I said, the players gave me everything today and I can't complain.

"It was a bad day at the office for us, but I thought we showed signs, particularly in the first half, that the players have coped very well with the ideas. In the second half when we went down to 10 men, it was difficult for us."

Asked whether Liverpool would appeal Agger's red card, Rodgers replied: "It's certainly something we'll look at, absolutely. It was very, very harsh I thought."

Rodgers handed Joe Allen his first appearance for the Reds at the Hawthorns, and admitted he was pleased with the display of the 22-year-old.

"I thought he was outstanding," he said. "For a boy to walk into a new team and perform like that, I thought he was superb. His body work, passing and ability to get on the ball was excellent."

Meanwhile, Rodgers confirmed Joe Cole sustained a recurrence of a recent hamstring problem.

The forward was introduced into the action as a second-half substitute, but was forced to limp off soon after.

Rodgers said: "It's strange because he's trained very, very well all pre-season. Then he started the Gomel game in the Europa League and had to come off with a similar thing.

"He got back, trained well and then went into the game today and the same thing has happened. It's something the medical staff will have to look at."

[Fredo]

Aye came on and got injured about 5 minutes later. He should give up professional football and concentrate on smoking.

[Exiled_red]

Well I sure hope we at least try Borini down the middle. To be honest I thought thats where we were planning to play him. Suarez would be good on the right (playing quite close to him) and if I'm honest Downing offers nothing. Try that new boy on the left.

I hope to see this.

Assiati - Borini - Suarez.

See how it goes for a match at least. (Hearts?)

I've said for a while Suarez should play one of the wide roles with a better finisher through the middle. Doesn't Suarez play from the left for Uraguay and didn't he play from the right at Ajax? I think

[BobTheCharmer]

How can you say not panic. Where do we go from here. Terrible. I think we will finish in bottom half

Based on one game? No offence mate, but what is wrong with the world?

I'm all lost in the supermarket ......

[Exiled_red]

Aye came on and got injured about 5 minutes later. He should give up professional football and concentrate on smoking.

This is the second time this has happened to him recently, we need to get rid.

[-V-]

Thanks. Don't think I can stomach watching MOTD. Feels like last season has just continued

[Muddled]

I think Rodgers' post match comments are all fair.

[McDermotX]

This is the second time this has happened to him recently, we need to get rid.

What a signing !!

He's up for the Alberto Aquilani Memorial Trophy at the moment.

[McDermotX]

I think Rodgers' post match comments are all fair.

Its fairly standard guff following a thumping and what you'd expect, although I do not agree with him about the penos - both were fully justified IMO.

[gentingfrmhell]

Smack back to reality