Brendan Rodgers has challenged his entire Liverpool squad to improve their individual goal tally after a pair of his forwards started the season on the scoresheet with strikes against Southampton. The Northern Irishman watched the Reds plunder no fewer than 101 successful efforts during 2013-14, a rate of prolificacy that earned a second-place finish in the Barclays Premier League. Two conversions were required and provided - from the respective boots of Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge - to see off the determined challenge of the Saints at Anfield on Sunday. The former was the grateful recipient of sublime approach play by Jordan Henderson to open the scoring and then played a pivotal role in creating a late winner for his older teammate. More goals from everyone, thats the objective, Rodgers explained to Liverpoolfc once three points were safely secured. Everyone will want to improve. Raheem had 10 goals last year. It was a great pass by Jordan, he picked him out really well with a wonderful ball and he gets himself in the box with a wonderful finish. It was a really good finish and that started to open up the game up a bit, with a bit more space to work in. But they were dangerous opponents. That danger evolved into decisiveness in the second half, with Dusan Tadic conjuring a majestic flick to beckon Nathaniel Clyne into range for a blast beyond Simon Mignolet. Were disappointed with their goal, admitted the boss. It was very loose, we never tracked the run and we gave them too much space on the inside. The boy Clyne ended up running through and finishing very well, but we showed that resilience and determination to come back with a wonderful goal. The Reds did not succumb to the setback; instead, they summoned fresh energy and endeavour to press and examine Ronald Koemans new-look visitors. And reward arrived with 11 minutes remaining on the clock as Sterlings athletic header into Southampton territory sailed to Sturridge, poaching at the back post. Rodgers reflected: A lot of the games here at Anfield we were winning reasonably comfortably last season, so we knew that the expectancy for us was going to be to win the game. We wont always win by playing beautiful football. Sometimes were going to have to dig in and grind a result out, and thats what we did. JJ
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 08:01:21 +0000