Verdict on WBA game today and thoughts on LFC

Needless to say I am furstrated after todays game. 

Not only because I lost $100 on the game (at 1.65 in odds single for LFC to win) but also because it was two points loss that would have put more distance between us and the 3 other contenders for 4th (Spurs, Toffees and Man U). 

I thought we controlled the game well in the first half and in the end it was hard to argue with Rodgers because the team performed as expected, got a goal and although it was far from the best half of football we have played this year it was more than good enough. 

I would say every player performed up until that point. Cissokho was back to looking very deecent today and was close to having an outstanding performance if his final ball would have been better when he was marauding down that left flank. Gerrard is really starting to come to terms with that defensive midfield position and is playing well there. We look more organised in central D with Skertel and Toure working well together and we are back to that defensive solidity we had in the first few games of the season (with the one obvious personal mistake being the major exception). 

Flannagan again looked ok although he did not contribute much going forward today. I thought Kelly should have started to get a bit more energy in there and to freshen things up a bit. 

I would have before the game said that Flanagan should have gone to left back but was proven wrong there as Aly Cissokho had a much better game today. I think he can continue to improve. 

My biggest beef with Rodgers this week is that he did not rotate more players. The same players played against Villa (draw 2-2), Everton and now today against West brom. I think Rafa benitez has it right when he in the past would rotate things to keep players fresh, keep players pshyce in the area where they believe they have got a fighting chance of making the starting 11 (at least 14 -15 guys that are vying for starting positions). 

With Moses, Apas, Kelly, Allen  etc. they do not believe that I do not think because he keeps starting the same guys. Allen was fit to go today. Why not give him a game for Henderson who has been good but could use a break. 

Why not give Moses a chance to prove he deserved the spot in the starting 11 ahead of Sterling today. I think he is a better finisher with different qualities and as well as Sterling has done (gotta give a lot of credit to the boy), he varies in his performances and I thought he was decent but there was not one shot outside the box. That is the different threat that in my opinion Moses gives you. 

Moses would also be hungry to prove himself and would do everything he could to get a second goal on the board after we had gotten the breakthrough. 

What hurts the most is that all other teams dropped points this weekend and we had every chance to take advantage. Now we are left to fight to get unexpected points against the likes of Arsenal, City etc. 

If you look at Gerrards interview after the game today I think he handles himself extremely well. He said it was a team effort and we win and lose and must stand behind Kolo Toure depsite him making a huge mistake. He has been brilliant this season but you could tell he was bitterly disappointed to have dropped two unnecessary points. 

In the second half we let WBA into the game and I think the players thought they had the game won when they walked into the dressing room after first half. To me that is down not only man management but to getting other players on the pitch. 

Moses did not get minutes today. Kelly did and played alright. Joe allen came on for Coutinho and did alright. 

In the end we kick on and we are in the same place but you look at the Villa game, this game and the Hull game earlier in the season and you wonder if Rodgers still have a lot to learn as a manager at the highest level. 

I think a signing in Jan would have won us the game today... just because it creates that bit of buzz, excitement and competition in the squad. 

Unfortunately we are sitting here angry and annoyed we lost two points today due to a horror mistake but if we want to have ambitions of making the top 4 we need to put more past a team like West brom who was there for the taking in the second half when Lugano was put into central defence after Olsons injury. The WBA game earlier in the week showed how Lugano can be beat for pace. 

Oh well onwards and upwards. 

YNWA,

Stian