Brendan Rodgers Press Conference + Player Ratings Of The Sunderland Game

After an emotional week off the field, Liverpool continued to their league season yesterday at the stadium of lights against Sunderland and the emotional week got even worse for the Kop fans as they once again saw their side failing to secure all the 3 points. It was once again Suarez, who rescued Liverpool with a 71st minute goal. Both teams tried to steal a match winner but there were no clear cut chances and the spoils were shared.

The release of the Hillsborough report this week was emotional for Liverpool fans who showed their support to the team vocally as they paid homage to the 96 lives that were lost in the horrifying tragedy in 1989 during a FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest.

Rodgers praised the fans after the match for their support, here is what the manager said in the press conference

“The players have been terrific,” Rodgers said. “It’s been a difficult week for the city and everything involved in it, and some of the players have been involved in the tragedy in terms of relatives. It’s been very emotional, but when you sign for Liverpool that’s part of the contract. You also sign an agreement with the fans, an emotional one, and that’s part of playing for Liverpool.

“The support we got from them was exceptional and they kept driving a young team on. We wanted to give hope for two reasons – for ourselves, because we have shown progress over the last few weeks, and to end the week for the supporters. It has been very difficult for them but it has been a good point all round.”

Player Ratings:

Pepe Reina – 6.5
Had a decent game. The goal was not his mistake and other than that he had was not tested.

Glen Johnson – 8
Could have scored a speactacular goal in the second half but only managed to rattle the cross bar. Was solid Defensively and his crosses were of quality even when played in the wrong position.

Daniel Agger – 7.5
Dominated aerial duels with the Sunderland’s strikers. Hardly put a foot wrong and his presence made life easier for Reina.

Martin Kelly – 6.5
Had a tough job of keeping McClean quiet which he did for most part of the game. But the player has to improve his attacking skills, did not support the team goaing forward and stayed back when he was needed at the other end of the field.

Martin Skrtel – 6.5 
Had a completely disappointing game given his ability to tackle inside the box, he should have done better for the Sunderland goal.

Steven Gerrard – 6
Gerrard  showing signs of frustrations with the team or is he not the same player who scored a screamer in Istanbul. Gerrard lacked confidence and looks lost in the middle of the park.

Joe Allen – 7
Decent game, stuck to his defensive duties perfectly. Could have made more forward runs

Jonjo Shelvey – 6
Has to either learn to shoot from long distance or try to stick to the basics. Had his moments in the game when his long range effort was saved by Mignolet, but other than that it was a poor game.

Raheem Sterling – 9 
Probably the player of the season for the Reds. He was once again brilliant with his mazing runs and looked the brightest player in the park. Sterling is improving every game and as he showed great maturity on such young shoulders.

Fabio Borini – 5.5
I think Rodgers has got it wrong with the signature of Borini, still early days to say but the player is not looking good as he was in his previous club. Misfired all over the place

Luis Suarez – 7
Was the savior once again for the Reds scoring a goal at the 71st minute to give Liverpool a chance of getting something out of the game. The only downside of the player is when it comes to his theatric diving. Has to avoid it in the future.

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