Brendan Rodgers

[Buzzo]

No chance of this side but I'd be playing

Mig

Manquillo
Toure
Skrtel
Moreno

Lucas
Can
Henderson

Coutinho
Sterling
Borini or Mario

Yep, that would be an interesting team. No way will Brendan 'rest' Stevie again.

[Redspin]

I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. He changed the team and we played well. Ridiculous to think that could be a negative.

You're forgetting that a lot of people on here are complete and utter bellends so you shouldn't be surprised by any barmy comments

[alonso14]

I was happy with the performance of the team. However, there's no point in ignoring the fact that despite the scoreline only being 1-0, real dominated the match, had plenty of attempts and many more shots on target.

They probably should have scored a few more yesterday. So just as we came away with a positive 1-0, it could easily have been a 4-0 too. Then that puts a different perspective on the match.

But in the position we are in you have to take whatever you can get. The thing that hurts the most is that our team from last season would have caused them plenty of problems. That's what's most disappointing that we didn't get to play in the champions league when we were at our best.

[Norbs]

I heard the commentators saying that Real have averaged 4 goals a match since September. We ship lots of goals. It was nailed on to be a Real showboating goalfest. We limited them to one goal, a goal that needed a pinpoint lighteningly quick cross that was met by a world class striker.

I really don't think we have much to complain about, we're currently quite a few levels below them and being under the cosh was never in doubt. We dealt with it though, without having to revert to hoofing the ball, dirty tactics and packing the defence.

The most interesting aspect is that I think that confidence in the dressing room will grow after that game, totally in spite of the result.

[Tee]

I was happy with the performance of the team. However, there's no point in ignoring the fact that despite the scoreline only being 1-0, real dominated the match, had plenty of attempts and many more shots on target.

They probably should have scored a few more yesterday. So just as we came away with a positive 1-0, it could easily have been a 4-0 too. Then that puts a different perspective on the match.

But in the position we are in you have to take whatever you can get. The thing that hurts the most is that our team from last season would have caused them plenty of problems. That's what's most disappointing that we didn't get to play in the champions league when we were at our best.

Totally agree with you there.

I am still disappointed that a club of our stature and history disrespected such a prestigious competition and opponents. It was almost like a pre-season friendly approach.

[Kenneth]

You're being a bit whiny about it though

[Tee]

You're being a bit whiny about it though

Because it ****s me right off that we wait 5 years, 5 tough years in the main, to get back here and we just effectively put up a white flag before the game started. I expect better from Liverpool FC.

But yes, you are right, I have been going on about it so this will be the last time I have a moan on the subject.

[DannyMan2006]

Annoying thing was their goal came just as we were having a decent bit of possession.

But last nights game was a different proposition to any other game. Last night when we were pinging some sideways passes about it and it felt great. Keeping them at bay in defence and every chance one of our players got it and ran towards their third of the pitch it was almost exciting to see.

But that was all it ever was really, other than a coupe of half chances and a questionable foul by Borini on Ramos. If we'd have turned in that kind of performance against any team in the league there'd be an outcry. And rightly so. Bottom line is that the two games against Real have shown how far we are from Europe's top table. Watching us against the big boys now is like watching plucky Celtic have a go a couple of seasons or so back. Annihilated for 90 mins and pray you get lucky.

But whilst all the above may be the case, I do actually think it will build the confidence of the team. And a win against Chelsea, any kind of win, would send it through the roof again. And this time, we'd have Danny to come back and help keep our level reasonably high. Bizarre as this week has been, it has actually brought a feel good factor back. A second string kept the best team in the world at bay in their own back yard. Not too shabby I guess.

[ronanm]

It's hard to know how to feel. White flag but good performance. It's a results business though. But do good performances lead to results later? The football equivalent of an Excel circular reference.

[DannyMan2006]

Because it ****s me right off that we wait 5 years, 5 tough years in the main, to get back here and we just effectively put up a white flag before the game started. I expect better from Liverpool FC.

But yes, you are right, I have been going on about it so this will be the last time I have a moan on the subject.

I guess it came down to this; we would still have likely needed two positive results in our final two games regardless of the score. Yeah, a win might have meant we could have got away with drawing one, but that was always going to be a tough ask. In a crazy turn out of events, the mad cap thinking of Rodgers has actually worked.

I would say that the confidence of the team as a whole would have improved after last nights game, especially that of some of the bit part plays who would have been frustrated so far this season.

[Norbs]

Because it ****s me right off that we wait 5 years, 5 tough years in the main, to get back here and we just effectively put up a white flag before the game started. I expect better from Liverpool FC.

But yes, you are right, I have been going on about it so this will be the last time I have a moan on the subject.

To be fair though, we really need to start doing it in the league and can still progress regardless of last night's game. I think that the desired outcome is that the embarrassed stars are stronger and hungrier going in to the Chelsea game. If that backfires and they look weak willed then it'll have backfired and the tides will be starting to turn, against Rodgers, but if we get a result against Chelsea with a revitalised Gerrard and Sterling in the side, then it'll be a masterstroke.

Bigger picture is that Rodgers has no CL experience and qualification from this group will be measured as reasonable success. Qualification for next season's competition is the most important thing right now, not winning it this season.

[DannyMan2006]

It's hard to know how to feel. White flag but good performance. It's a results business though. But do good performances lead to results later? The football equivalent of an Excel circular reference.

It wasn't even a good performance. If we were Burnley and had to play like that every week it'd be massive. It would be a sign our game plan is coming together. But we don't ever play like that so it's a bit of a false dawn. But I think it will be good for confidence. However **** we really were, seeing the line up I thought we'd likely get battered, so I was very proud of the team last night.

[DannyMan2006]

To be fair though, we really need to start doing it in the league and can still progress regardless of last night's game. I think that the desired outcome is that the embarrassed stars are stronger and hungrier going in to the Chelsea game. If that backfires and they look weak willed then it'll have backfired and the tides will be starting to turn, against Rodgers, but if we get a result against Chelsea with a revitalised Gerrard and Sterling in the side, then it'll be a masterstroke.

Bigger picture is that Rodgers has no CL experience and qualification from this group will be measured as reasonable success. Qualification for next season's competition is the most important thing right now, not winning it this season.

They are simple but brilliant points right there. A defeat to Chelsea and Brendan looks a bit daft. But if we were to beat Chelsea, and then follow it up at a later date with qualification from the group, even the most bitter of reds would have to admit he was bang on the money last night.

Top 4 and making the knockouts should remain the goal this year. I'm hoping by January we'd be well on course to achieving both.

[The Birdman]

We haven't been in the CL for ages, we've really struggled this season, got battered vs QPR (regardless of the result) struggled home to Hull and played atrocious away to Newcastle yet fans moan because we went away to Madrid with a game plan to keep it tight.

You know, reigning CL holders Madrid, battered Barcelona the other week Madrid, the ones with Ronaldo, James, Bale, Kroos, Isco, Modric and Benzema?
The team averaging 4 goals a game for god knows how long?

But that's right, just because we're lfc we should go there, be open and get battered.

Just look at Arsenal's 2 matches v Anderlecht to see what happens when you play open in Europe and Arsenal have been in the CL for 15 consecutive years, their manager is vastly experienced but they get spanked (performance wise), twice.

[Norbs]

They are simple but brilliant points right there. A defeat to Chelsea and Brendan looks a bit daft. But if we were to beat Chelsea, and then follow it up at a later date with qualification from the group, even the most bitter of reds would have to admit he was bang on the money last night.

Top 4 and making the knockouts should remain the goal this year. I'm hoping by January we'd be well on course to achieving both.

Cheers.

The tabloids, whilst not entirely correct, have hit on the point that the big names will be seething from missing out on the chance to play in one of the greatest stadiums in the world. FWIW, recent performances of some players have been poor and they deserve a kick up the arse. I'm pretty sure that Rodgers also included a couple that deserved to play (Sterling mainly) in his list of exclusions in order to mask issues with other players and I'm not sure this will go down well among the players.

This could go two ways, and there is the potential that it could backfire on him. I'm starting to wonder if Gerrard is going to create a mini-rebellion over this and his contract talks. I don't think there's quite such a love for each other (him and BR) than there was a year or so ago. The next week or so will be interesting to watch on and off the field.

Begs the question though whether the players are misunderstanding instructions or not carrying out instructions during games as yesterday's lineup was organised, hard working and seemed to remain focused.