Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen says the team will pick themselves up straight away and focus on getting back to winning after Sunday’s disappointing FA Cup exit at Arsenal.
Joe Allen in action against Arsenal’s Mathieu Flamini. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Reds went down 2-1 at the Emirates thanks to goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lucas Podolski, with Steven Gerrard getting one back from the penalty spot for the visitors.
Allen came back into the starting line-up, replacing Jordan Henderson, who had undergone wrist surgery earlier in the week.
It was Liverpool’s first defeat of 2014, and now attentions return to their exciting Premier League campaign — where they face Allen’s old club Swansea City next Sunday at Anfield.
“Naturally, we’re really disappointed to get knocked out of the cup,” Allen told the club’s official website. “We certainly played well enough to have got a win, never mind a draw, on another day.
“I think there are positives in the sense that we created chances and played some good stuff, but unfortunately we conceded two goals and that’s the end of our cup run.
“If you analyse the game, there are probably not many faults that you could see in our game. It’s disappointing not to have come through; but, of course, at the Emirates against a very good Arsenal team it was never going to be easy.”
Arsenal will play Everton in the sixth round of the FA Cup in March, and also have Champions League commitments with a mouthwatering tie against Bayern Munich this week.
With Liverpool thee points off the Gunners, and four off league leaders Chelsea, title talk around Anfield is getting louder by the day.
But for now Allen says the important thing is to not let heads drop and continue their winning momentum which has seen five wins from seven league games since the turn of the year.
The Welsh international added, “People always talk about the sign of a great team is to bounce back as soon as you do have a disappointment – that will be the case for us now.
“Our focus turns straight to that game and playing at Anfield has been brilliant for us this season. We’re hoping to make sure we play well and get the three points.”
Liverpool vs Swansea gets underway at 1.30pm on Sunday, 23rd January 2014.
Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen says the team will pick themselves up straight away and focus on getting back to winning after Sunday’s disappointing FA Cup exit at Arsenal.
Joe Allen in action against Arsenal’s Mathieu Flamini. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Reds went down 2-1 at the Emirates thanks to goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lucas Podolski, with Steven Gerrard getting one back from the penalty spot for the visitors.
Allen came back into the starting line-up, replacing Jordan Henderson, who had undergone wrist surgery earlier in the week.
It was Liverpool’s first defeat of 2014, and now attentions return to their exciting Premier League campaign — where they face Allen’s old club Swansea City next Sunday at Anfield.
“Naturally, we’re really disappointed to get knocked out of the cup,” Allen told the club’s official website. “We certainly played well enough to have got a win, never mind a draw, on another day.
“I think there are positives in the sense that we created chances and played some good stuff, but unfortunately we conceded two goals and that’s the end of our cup run.
“If you analyse the game, there are probably not many faults that you could see in our game. It’s disappointing not to have come through; but, of course, at the Emirates against a very good Arsenal team it was never going to be easy.”
Arsenal will play Everton in the sixth round of the FA Cup in March, and also have Champions League commitments with a mouthwatering tie against Bayern Munich this week.
With Liverpool thee points off the Gunners, and four off league leaders Chelsea, title talk around Anfield is getting louder by the day.
But for now Allen says the important thing is to not let heads drop and continue their winning momentum which has seen five wins from seven league games since the turn of the year.
The Welsh international added, “People always talk about the sign of a great team is to bounce back as soon as you do have a disappointment – that will be the case for us now.
“Our focus turns straight to that game and playing at Anfield has been brilliant for us this season. We’re hoping to make sure we play well and get the three points.”
Liverpool vs Swansea gets underway at 1.30pm on Sunday, 23rd January 2014.
Javier Mascherano has finally broken the silence on his Liverpool departure, claiming unfulfilled promises contributed to his Anfield exit.
The defensive midfielder left Merseyside for Barcelona in 2010 after spending three years at the Premier League club.
However, following the departure of Rafael Benitez as Liverpool manager, Mascherano admits he struggled to establish a rapport with his successor Roy Hodgson and managing director Christian Purslow.
The nature of Mascherano's exit left his reputation among some of the Reds faithful tainted, but claims he was reluctant to share his version of events in the heat of the moment.
"I didn't want to say anything at the time because of my respect for Liverpool," he revealed in The Times.
"Maybe that was a mistake because it allowed other people to say bad things about me. But I do not regret it."
Mascherano acknowledged his admiration for Liverpool but claims life was made difficult for him when the interest of Barcelona became clear.
"Liverpool is a special club and it does not deserve to be treated badly," he said. "The people who were there at the time - the manager and Christian Purslow - have now gone but they know the truth.
"When I went back to Liverpool for pre-season I had a lot of meetings with them and they were promising a lot of thing to me but never kept their word."
He added: "I did not wake up one day and refuse to play. In the game before [Manchester] City we played against Arsenal and I gave everything because I was wearing the Liverpool shirt.
"Why would I do that and risk getting injured when I knew that Barcelona were close to signing me and then refuse to play in another game? That doesn't make any sense.
"We had been talking about completing the transfer for 20 days because the club also wanted to make it happen, but then they started to make things difficult for me."
Mascherano admits he thoroughly enjoyed his time at Anfield and claims the bitter end to his time in England left a sour taste in his mouth.
"The people treated me really well and I would never want to let them down," he insisted. "I wanted to leave in another way, but they didn't give me the chance to.
"That is the truth. It left me with a bad feeling. My time at the club was over and I needed to move on, but I also needed to leave the club in a good way and that wasn't allowed to happen."
Mascherano will return to English shores on Tuesday as Barcelona visit the Etihad Stadium for one of the most eagerly-anticipated Champions League clashes of the season.
The Argentina international's compatriot, Sergio Aguero, is currently plying his trade with the Sky Blues but Mascherano admits his injury could give Barcelona the edge.
"Sergio is a key player for them," he admitted. "He is one of the best strikers in the world and I do not want to say that it's good that he's injured, because he's my friend and I have a really good relationship with him.
"But if he doesn't play, it is an advantage for us, that is the truth. It will be better for us if he can miss these games and then get fit afterwards."
At Barcelona, Mascherano pays alongside another international colleague, Lionel Messi, who he claims is the best player he has ever seen.
"There are people who say Leo could not play against Stoke," he added. "Stoke City? That he cannot play in England? Leo can play anywhere, against anyone. How can anyone doubt that?"
"It's not because he is my friend. For me he is the best player I've seen in my life. I didn't see [Diego] Maradona, but of the ones I have seen Leo is definitely the best.
"The best player in the world can play anywhere because his talent and his quality are unbelievable, I don't think he wants to play in England, though."
Javier Mascherano has finally broken the silence on his Liverpool departure, claiming unfulfilled promises contributed to his Anfield exit.
The defensive midfielder left Merseyside for Barcelona in 2010 after spending three years at the Premier League club.
However, following the departure of Rafael Benitez as Liverpool manager, Mascherano admits he struggled to establish a rapport with his successor Roy Hodgson and managing director Christian Purslow.
The nature of Mascherano's exit left his reputation among some of the Reds faithful tainted, but claims he was reluctant to share his version of events in the heat of the moment.
"I didn't want to say anything at the time because of my respect for Liverpool," he revealed in The Times.
"Maybe that was a mistake because it allowed other people to say bad things about me. But I do not regret it."
Mascherano acknowledged his admiration for Liverpool but claims life was made difficult for him when the interest of Barcelona became clear.
"Liverpool is a special club and it does not deserve to be treated badly," he said. "The people who were there at the time - the manager and Christian Purslow - have now gone but they know the truth.
"When I went back to Liverpool for pre-season I had a lot of meetings with them and they were promising a lot of thing to me but never kept their word."
He added: "I did not wake up one day and refuse to play. In the game before [Manchester] City we played against Arsenal and I gave everything because I was wearing the Liverpool shirt.
"Why would I do that and risk getting injured when I knew that Barcelona were close to signing me and then refuse to play in another game? That doesn't make any sense.
"We had been talking about completing the transfer for 20 days because the club also wanted to make it happen, but then they started to make things difficult for me."
Mascherano admits he thoroughly enjoyed his time at Anfield and claims the bitter end to his time in England left a sour taste in his mouth.
"The people treated me really well and I would never want to let them down," he insisted. "I wanted to leave in another way, but they didn't give me the chance to.
"That is the truth. It left me with a bad feeling. My time at the club was over and I needed to move on, but I also needed to leave the club in a good way and that wasn't allowed to happen."
Mascherano will return to English shores on Tuesday as Barcelona visit the Etihad Stadium for one of the most eagerly-anticipated Champions League clashes of the season.
The Argentina international's compatriot, Sergio Aguero, is currently plying his trade with the Sky Blues but Mascherano admits his injury could give Barcelona the edge.
"Sergio is a key player for them," he admitted. "He is one of the best strikers in the world and I do not want to say that it's good that he's injured, because he's my friend and I have a really good relationship with him.
"But if he doesn't play, it is an advantage for us, that is the truth. It will be better for us if he can miss these games and then get fit afterwards."
At Barcelona, Mascherano pays alongside another international colleague, Lionel Messi, who he claims is the best player he has ever seen.
"There are people who say Leo could not play against Stoke," he added. "Stoke City? That he cannot play in England? Leo can play anywhere, against anyone. How can anyone doubt that?"
"It's not because he is my friend. For me he is the best player I've seen in my life. I didn't see [Diego] Maradona, but of the ones I have seen Leo is definitely the best.
"The best player in the world can play anywhere because his talent and his quality are unbelievable, I don't think he wants to play in England, though."
Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations and disappointment at the club crashing out of the FA Cup to the hands of Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool supporters before the FA Cup 5th Round match against Arsenal. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
However, overall there is still a positive outlook amongst fans on the result, what it means for the season, and the progress the club is making.
The Reds were denied a stone-wall second penalty of the game when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain brought down Luis Suarez in the penalty area.
Referee Howard Webb was positioned in the best place possible to make the call, standing just a few yards away with a clear line of vision.
However, the 42-year-old from Rotherham waved the play away — a decision that ultimately cost Liverpool at least a draw and FA Cup fifth round replay.
Earlier, Oxlade-Chamberlain had given the Gunners a first-half lead, before Lucas Podolski doubled their lead with a well-taken strike just after half-time.
The Reds had got back into the game just before the hour mark when Steven Gerrard scored from the penalty spot after Suarez had been brought down by Podolski, but the second penalty appeal later in the second-half was denied.
Away from Webb’s atrocious, card-happy display, Liverpool were left to rue missed chances with Daniel Sturridge given two clear-cut opportunities inside the first five minutes of the game.
It means Liverpool now have only their Premier League ambitions to concentrate on, with 12 games of the season to go.
We’ve rounded up the best of Liverpool fans’ reactions to the defeat and FA Cup exit at Arsenal.
Let us know your thoughts on the game, and what it means for Liverpool’s season in the comments below, on Twitter @thisisanfield or in our forums .
Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations and disappointment at the club crashing out of the FA Cup to the hands of Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool supporters before the FA Cup 5th Round match against Arsenal. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
However, overall there is still a positive outlook amongst fans on the result, what it means for the season, and the progress the club is making.
The Reds were denied a stone-wall second penalty of the game when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain brought down Luis Suarez in the penalty area.
Referee Howard Webb was positioned in the best place possible to make the call, standing just a few yards away with a clear line of vision.
However, the 42-year-old from Rotherham waved the play away — a decision that ultimately cost Liverpool at least a draw and FA Cup fifth round replay.
Earlier, Oxlade-Chamberlain had given the Gunners a first-half lead, before Lucas Podolski doubled their lead with a well-taken strike just after half-time.
The Reds had got back into the game just before the hour mark when Steven Gerrard scored from the penalty spot after Suarez had been brought down by Podolski, but the second penalty appeal later in the second-half was denied.
Away from Webb’s atrocious, card-happy display, Liverpool were left to rue missed chances with Daniel Sturridge given two clear-cut opportunities inside the first five minutes of the game.
It means Liverpool now have only their Premier League ambitions to concentrate on, with 12 games of the season to go.
We’ve rounded up the best of Liverpool fans’ reactions to the defeat and FA Cup exit at Arsenal.
Let us know your thoughts on the game, and what it means for Liverpool’s season in the comments below, on Twitter @thisisanfield or in our forums .
Brendan Rodgers reflected on his side’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, declaring “the best team lost.”
Luis Suarez is hacked down by Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He also expressed his bewilderment at how referee Howard Webb failed to give Liverpool a second penalty when Luis Suarez was chopped down by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the second-half.
With quotes picked up by the Mirror , when asked about the decision by Webb, Rodgers replied: “A blatant penalty. It was probably more clear and blatant than the first. I’m not sure because just after the first but it was certainly a clear penalty.
“Luis got a touch on the ball and young Alex has taken him out.
“It was a strange decision. It was a penalty and it was a clear one.”
Liverpool had earlier come back into the game after finding themselves 2-0 down shortly after half-time.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lucas Podolski had give Arsene Wenger’s side a comfortable two-goal cushion, but a Steven Gerrard penalty just before the hour mark brought a valiant Liverpool back into the game.
“I thought the best team lost,” Rodgers said. “I thought the very least we deserved was a replay. We probably should have been 2-0 up inside those first six or seven minutes. Going forward we were outstanding.
“I’m disappointed with the goals, the first one in particular was just a long ball into the box. But apart from that, going forward we were a real a threat and are bitterly disappointed not to get something.”
Liverpool’s attentions now turn to the Premier League, with 12 games of the season to go and a home clash against Swansea City next Sunday afternoon at Anfield.
Brendan Rodgers reflected on his side’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, declaring “the best team lost.”
Luis Suarez is hacked down by Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He also expressed his bewilderment at how referee Howard Webb failed to give Liverpool a second penalty when Luis Suarez was chopped down by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the second-half.
With quotes picked up by the Mirror , when asked about the decision by Webb, Rodgers replied: “A blatant penalty. It was probably more clear and blatant than the first. I’m not sure because just after the first but it was certainly a clear penalty.
“Luis got a touch on the ball and young Alex has taken him out.
“It was a strange decision. It was a penalty and it was a clear one.”
Liverpool had earlier come back into the game after finding themselves 2-0 down shortly after half-time.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lucas Podolski had give Arsene Wenger’s side a comfortable two-goal cushion, but a Steven Gerrard penalty just before the hour mark brought a valiant Liverpool back into the game.
“I thought the best team lost,” Rodgers said. “I thought the very least we deserved was a replay. We probably should have been 2-0 up inside those first six or seven minutes. Going forward we were outstanding.
“I’m disappointed with the goals, the first one in particular was just a long ball into the box. But apart from that, going forward we were a real a threat and are bitterly disappointed not to get something.”
Liverpool’s attentions now turn to the Premier League, with 12 games of the season to go and a home clash against Swansea City next Sunday afternoon at Anfield.
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