After Liverpool’s 2-2 draw away to PFC Ludogorets Razgrad on Wednesday, Jack Lusby selects his best and worst performers from the night.
Brendan Rodgers has come under consistent pressure recently as his Liverpool side has struggled to find anything resembling form, and a win away to Champions League opponents PFC Ludogorets Razgrad was a must.
However, Georgi Terziev clearly hadn’t read the script as his late equalising header kept the Bulgarian side in with a chance of qualification.
This was after Dani Abalo’s early goal was cancelled out by a comedy goal from Rickie Lambert, on his first start in the Champions League, and a fine strike by Jordan Henderson.
Ludogorets remain level with the Reds on four points, behind both FC Basel and Real Madrid in Group B.
It was a better performance than that mustered up away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, but miles away from the magnificent attacking side of 2013/14 under Rodgers.
But who played well for Liverpool in Sofia, and who underperformed?
19-year-old Sterling has been underwhelming in recent performances for the Reds, either due to fatigue, being deployed out of his best position or an accumulation of poor form all-round.
However, the England international was back to his best in flashes against Ludogorets, and it was his direct running style that troubled the Bulgarian side the most throughout.
After some fine interplay between him and Lambert on the left-hand side of the pitch, Sterling’s inch-perfect cross allowed Henderson a simple finish at the far post to make the score 2-1.
However, perhaps identifying the fragile state of the forward at the moment, Sterling was replaced on 82 minutes.
Nevertheless, a shining performance from the Liverpool man.
A bad game for Simon Mignolet
Belgian goalkeeper Mignolet was the subject of some bizarre criticism from former Reds goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar on Wednesday.
The 57-year-old told BBC Sport that “I’ve likened Mignolet to worse than Dracula because at least Dracula comes out of his coffin now and then. He seems to stay on his line and that’s it.”
Grobbelaar continued that “I would give Brad Jones a chance to see if he can come to the party and put Mignolet on the bench.”
While an interesting comparison, to say the least, Grobbelaar touches on a lack of confidence in Mignolet that was on show once more against Ludogorets.
His spilled attempt at a save allowed Abalo the simplest of finishes on two minutes, and Mignolet looked shaky from then on.
Dejan Lovren was, ostensibly, dropped on Wednesday night due to his poor form. Now is the time to offer Mignolet the same respite.
A good game for Jordan Henderson
Henderson, like Sterling, has looked out-of-sorts of late in a Liverpool shirt, and has rightfully warranted a rest in order to recuperate his trademark fervour.
With Steven Gerrard deployed in a more advanced role on Wednesday night, it was Henderson’s duty in tandem with Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen to provide both defensive pressing and support from midfield.
Henderson was particularly impressive in this role, as his run from deep to get on the end of Sterling’s cross outlined.
Furthermore, the vice-captain showed some impressive leadership in organising his teammates in both midfield and during defensive phases—although his post-match positivity was perhaps a little too diplomatic.
A good game for Rickie Lambert
After netting in his second Premier League start for Liverpool after just two minutes at Selhurst Park, Lambert was on hand early on once more to make things equal against Ludogorets.
It wasn’t the most graceful of finishes, with some poor defensive work from Cosmin Moti leading to a simple headed effort from the England striker, but Lambert’s goal gave Liverpool some belief after being deflated early on by Mignolet’s error.
However, the real praise for Lambert’s performance should come from the striker’s technical play, and Rodgers may have found the right striker to deputise for the absent Daniel Sturridge.
Lambert serves as a target for Liverpool’s pacier attacking talents to utilise, and could be Rodgers’ ‘plan B’.
His partnership with Gerrard as the No. 10 affected late on, however, as both old hands tired.
A bad game for Brendan Rodgers
Once more, the Liverpool manager proved his unwillingness to adapt in light of some glaring deficiencies within his side with a bizarre managerial performance on Wednesday night.
After the loss away to Palace, Rodgers told reporters that “it is something I need to take full responsibility for,” suggesting he had soaked up these poor decisions and would react.
However, his initial team selection, and decisions during the game went against this claim.
Deploying Gerrard in the No. 10 role despite the captain clearly tiring early on at Selhurst Park at the weekend, and in dire need of a rest, underlines this succinctly.
Later in the game, after Ludogorets had made three, energetic substitutions, Rodgers made just one change, introduction left-back Alberto Moreno in place of Sterling; Gerrard and fellow fatigued veterans Lambert and Lucas remained on the pitch.
Unable to press the Bulgarian side high at 2-1 up, the Reds sat deep and allowed Ludogorets to force their way in to the 18-yard-box to equalise.
After the game, Rodgers attested that Liverpool “showed wonderful resilience and kept our focus.” Far from it though, Brendan.
Who were your best and worst performers for Liverpool against Ludogorets? Let us know in the comments below.
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After Liverpool’s 2-2 draw away to PFC Ludogorets Razgrad on Wednesday, Jack Lusby selects his best and worst performers from the night.
Brendan Rodgers has come under consistent pressure recently as his Liverpool side has struggled to find anything resembling form, and a win away to Champions League opponents PFC Ludogorets Razgrad was a must.
However, Georgi Terziev clearly hadn’t read the script as his late equalising header kept the Bulgarian side in with a chance of qualification.
This was after Dani Abalo’s early goal was cancelled out by a comedy goal from Rickie Lambert, on his first start in the Champions League, and a fine strike by Jordan Henderson.
Ludogorets remain level with the Reds on four points, behind both FC Basel and Real Madrid in Group B.
It was a better performance than that mustered up away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, but miles away from the magnificent attacking side of 2013/14 under Rodgers.
But who played well for Liverpool in Sofia, and who underperformed?
19-year-old Sterling has been underwhelming in recent performances for the Reds, either due to fatigue, being deployed out of his best position or an accumulation of poor form all-round.
However, the England international was back to his best in flashes against Ludogorets, and it was his direct running style that troubled the Bulgarian side the most throughout.
After some fine interplay between him and Lambert on the left-hand side of the pitch, Sterling’s inch-perfect cross allowed Henderson a simple finish at the far post to make the score 2-1.
However, perhaps identifying the fragile state of the forward at the moment, Sterling was replaced on 82 minutes.
Nevertheless, a shining performance from the Liverpool man.
A bad game for Simon Mignolet
Belgian goalkeeper Mignolet was the subject of some bizarre criticism from former Reds goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar on Wednesday.
The 57-year-old told BBC Sport that “I’ve likened Mignolet to worse than Dracula because at least Dracula comes out of his coffin now and then. He seems to stay on his line and that’s it.”
Grobbelaar continued that “I would give Brad Jones a chance to see if he can come to the party and put Mignolet on the bench.”
While an interesting comparison, to say the least, Grobbelaar touches on a lack of confidence in Mignolet that was on show once more against Ludogorets.
His spilled attempt at a save allowed Abalo the simplest of finishes on two minutes, and Mignolet looked shaky from then on.
Dejan Lovren was, ostensibly, dropped on Wednesday night due to his poor form. Now is the time to offer Mignolet the same respite.
A good game for Jordan Henderson
Henderson, like Sterling, has looked out-of-sorts of late in a Liverpool shirt, and has rightfully warranted a rest in order to recuperate his trademark fervour.
With Steven Gerrard deployed in a more advanced role on Wednesday night, it was Henderson’s duty in tandem with Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen to provide both defensive pressing and support from midfield.
Henderson was particularly impressive in this role, as his run from deep to get on the end of Sterling’s cross outlined.
Furthermore, the vice-captain showed some impressive leadership in organising his teammates in both midfield and during defensive phases—although his post-match positivity was perhaps a little too diplomatic.
A good game for Rickie Lambert
After netting in his second Premier League start for Liverpool after just two minutes at Selhurst Park, Lambert was on hand early on once more to make things equal against Ludogorets.
It wasn’t the most graceful of finishes, with some poor defensive work from Cosmin Moti leading to a simple headed effort from the England striker, but Lambert’s goal gave Liverpool some belief after being deflated early on by Mignolet’s error.
However, the real praise for Lambert’s performance should come from the striker’s technical play, and Rodgers may have found the right striker to deputise for the absent Daniel Sturridge.
Lambert serves as a target for Liverpool’s pacier attacking talents to utilise, and could be Rodgers’ ‘plan B’.
His partnership with Gerrard as the No. 10 affected late on, however, as both old hands tired.
A bad game for Brendan Rodgers
Once more, the Liverpool manager proved his unwillingness to adapt in light of some glaring deficiencies within his side with a bizarre managerial performance on Wednesday night.
After the loss away to Palace, Rodgers told reporters that “it is something I need to take full responsibility for,” suggesting he had soaked up these poor decisions and would react.
However, his initial team selection, and decisions during the game went against this claim.
Deploying Gerrard in the No. 10 role despite the captain clearly tiring early on at Selhurst Park at the weekend, and in dire need of a rest, underlines this succinctly.
Later in the game, after Ludogorets had made three, energetic substitutions, Rodgers made just one change, introduction left-back Alberto Moreno in place of Sterling; Gerrard and fellow fatigued veterans Lambert and Lucas remained on the pitch.
Unable to press the Bulgarian side high at 2-1 up, the Reds sat deep and allowed Ludogorets to force their way in to the 18-yard-box to equalise.
After the game, Rodgers attested that Liverpool “showed wonderful resilience and kept our focus.” Far from it though, Brendan.
Who were your best and worst performers for Liverpool against Ludogorets? Let us know in the comments below.
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers refused to blame goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for another error which could have ended their Champions League dream.
The Belgium international has come in for criticism this season for a number of unconvincing performances and when he fumbled, Dani Abalo gave Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets a third-minute lead.
Striker Rickie Lambert's second goal in as many games and a Jordan Henderson strike turned things around before the break but Georgi Terziev nicked an equaliser at the death to set up a must-win final match at home to Group B rivals Basle in a fortnight, where victory would take Liverpool through to the knock-out stage.
"It was disappointing for the team to go a goal behind so early on but thankfully it didn't cost us," said Rodgers of Mignolet's error.
"The pitch was difficult for players and the goalkeepers, and it was especially bobbly around the 18-yard box.
"The players showed character to come back and not let it affect them."
Rodgers changed his set-up with Lucas Leiva recalled in central midfield, allowing Steven Gerrard to operate further forward, in order to make the side more difficult to break down and despite conceding twice, the manager felt it worked well.
There can be no more slip ups in the clash at Anfield in two weeks but Rodgers insisted he was more than happy their destiny was in their own hands.
"We are frustrated but we needed to come here and put in a performance which would give us encouragement going forward, and also to have a result which would allow us to still qualify from the group and we've had both of them," he said.
"The reaction to going behind was magnificent. Of course we are frustrated because we had defended very well but we've come away with a point.
"It was always going to be a very close group. We have had a good result and should have won the game. Now it is all in our hands and I can't ask any more than that.
"I am happy to rely on us to play at Anfield in front of our own supporters in the final game."
PA
 | The This Is Anfield app is finally here ...and it's free!Liverpool FC news, opinion, discussion and videos on the go! For iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets.   |
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers refused to blame goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for another error which could have ended their Champions League dream.
The Belgium international has come in for criticism this season for a number of unconvincing performances and when he fumbled, Dani Abalo gave Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets a third-minute lead.
Striker Rickie Lambert's second goal in as many games and a Jordan Henderson strike turned things around before the break but Georgi Terziev nicked an equaliser at the death to set up a must-win final match at home to Group B rivals Basle in a fortnight, where victory would take Liverpool through to the knock-out stage.
"It was disappointing for the team to go a goal behind so early on but thankfully it didn't cost us," said Rodgers of Mignolet's error.
"The pitch was difficult for players and the goalkeepers, and it was especially bobbly around the 18-yard box.
"The players showed character to come back and not let it affect them."
Rodgers changed his set-up with Lucas Leiva recalled in central midfield, allowing Steven Gerrard to operate further forward, in order to make the side more difficult to break down and despite conceding twice, the manager felt it worked well.
There can be no more slip ups in the clash at Anfield in two weeks but Rodgers insisted he was more than happy their destiny was in their own hands.
"We are frustrated but we needed to come here and put in a performance which would give us encouragement going forward, and also to have a result which would allow us to still qualify from the group and we've had both of them," he said.
"The reaction to going behind was magnificent. Of course we are frustrated because we had defended very well but we've come away with a point.
"It was always going to be a very close group. We have had a good result and should have won the game. Now it is all in our hands and I can't ask any more than that.
"I am happy to rely on us to play at Anfield in front of our own supporters in the final game."
PA
| | The This Is Anfield app is finally here ...and it's free!Liverpool FC news, opinion, discussion and videos on the go! For iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets. |
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Rickie Lambert admitted a late equaliser for Ludogorets had left Liverpool "devastated" in Bulgaria but claimed their performance in the 2-2 draw ought to be enough to silence their critics.
A Simon Mignolet error gifted the hosts an early lead through Dani Abola, but Lambert's first Champions League goal levelled it before Jordan Henderson put Liverpool ahead eight minutes before the break.
But Liverpool spent the last 10 minutes on the back foot and Georgi Terziev levelled it with two minutes to go, leaving Liverpool needing victory over Basle in their final match to secure progression.
Liverpool came into the match reeling from their defeat at Crystal Palace at the weekend, but Lambert felt they were much improved.
"It meant a lot," he said on Sky Sports 5 of his goal. "It was my first start in the Champions League and it was brilliant to get off the mark and get us back in the game.
"I thought the performance was a lot better, that was the main thing. We're devastated about the goal at the end but it is still a good result.
"We knew if we got a draw today a win would get us through and it's about getting through. But it was about the performance today, win, lose or draw, and the performance was a lot better today, I thought anyway.
"We've answered some critics about Sunday night. We wanted to address it and we wanted the win. We almost got it but it's about the performance. We've got to take heart from it now and go for an even better performance on Saturday."
Brendan Rodgers has come under increasing pressure given his side's stuttering start, but the manager backed Lambert's assessment of a strong performance.
"We showed wonderful character tonight," he said.
"Obviously (if you) go a goal behind in this competition you need great spirit and character of team.
"We were disappointed with the goal at the end but that's irrelevant. We need to win a game at the end against Basle and at the start we would have looked at that game as the one to see us through and it should be a great night at Anfield."
Rodgers' team selection focused on players who had been part of their title challenge last campaign, with Lambert and Javier Manquillo the only summer signings in the starting eleven.
Asked if he had gone back to basics, Rodgers said: "They're certainly players that I know what their capable of. Lucas coming into the team, the last time he played was against Real Madrid and he was outstanding. Obviously they are players I know what they're capable of but in time the new players will adapt to how you want to play.
"We've set a standard here in the last two and a half years and we've not lived up to that so far this season."
Is Lambert right? Have Liverpool answered some critics in their 2-2 draw in Bulgaria? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
PA
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Rickie Lambert admitted a late equaliser for Ludogorets had left Liverpool "devastated" in Bulgaria but claimed their performance in the 2-2 draw ought to be enough to silence their critics.
A Simon Mignolet error gifted the hosts an early lead through Dani Abola, but Lambert's first Champions League goal levelled it before Jordan Henderson put Liverpool ahead eight minutes before the break.
But Liverpool spent the last 10 minutes on the back foot and Georgi Terziev levelled it with two minutes to go, leaving Liverpool needing victory over Basle in their final match to secure progression.
Liverpool came into the match reeling from their defeat at Crystal Palace at the weekend, but Lambert felt they were much improved.
"It meant a lot," he said on Sky Sports 5 of his goal. "It was my first start in the Champions League and it was brilliant to get off the mark and get us back in the game.
"I thought the performance was a lot better, that was the main thing. We're devastated about the goal at the end but it is still a good result.
"We knew if we got a draw today a win would get us through and it's about getting through. But it was about the performance today, win, lose or draw, and the performance was a lot better today, I thought anyway.
"We've answered some critics about Sunday night. We wanted to address it and we wanted the win. We almost got it but it's about the performance. We've got to take heart from it now and go for an even better performance on Saturday."
Brendan Rodgers has come under increasing pressure given his side's stuttering start, but the manager backed Lambert's assessment of a strong performance.
"We showed wonderful character tonight," he said.
"Obviously (if you) go a goal behind in this competition you need great spirit and character of team.
"We were disappointed with the goal at the end but that's irrelevant. We need to win a game at the end against Basle and at the start we would have looked at that game as the one to see us through and it should be a great night at Anfield."
Rodgers' team selection focused on players who had been part of their title challenge last campaign, with Lambert and Javier Manquillo the only summer signings in the starting eleven.
Asked if he had gone back to basics, Rodgers said: "They're certainly players that I know what their capable of. Lucas coming into the team, the last time he played was against Real Madrid and he was outstanding. Obviously they are players I know what they're capable of but in time the new players will adapt to how you want to play.
"We've set a standard here in the last two and a half years and we've not lived up to that so far this season."
Is Lambert right? Have Liverpool answered some critics in their 2-2 draw in Bulgaria? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
PA
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There were some positives and negatives to take from Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The biggest positives were the performances of Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson, while the conceding of a 13th goal from a set-piece two minutes from time is the biggest frustration.
Liverpool can progress from the group if they beat Basel at Anfield in a fortnight in the final group game, but that’s a big ask at the moment given Brendan Rodgers‘ sides current form — without a win in their last five games.
Rickie Lambert’s second goal in two games was a positive from the match, but the decision to keep him and Steven Gerrard as the team’s two attackers for the full 90 minutes, a duo with a combined age of 66, lead to much frustration and puzzlement.
We round up the stats and reactions to the match.
The Stats:
Media and Player Reaction:
The Fans View:
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There were some positives and negatives to take from Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The biggest positives were the performances of Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson, while the conceding of a 13th goal from a set-piece two minutes from time is the biggest frustration.
Liverpool can progress from the group if they beat Basel at Anfield in a fortnight in the final group game, but that’s a big ask at the moment given Brendan Rodgers‘ sides current form — without a win in their last five games.
Rickie Lambert’s second goal in two games was a positive from the match, but the decision to keep him and Steven Gerrard as the team’s two attackers for the full 90 minutes, a duo with a combined age of 66, lead to much frustration and puzzlement.
We round up the stats and reactions to the match.
The Stats:
Media and Player Reaction:
The Fans View:
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