Rodgers on fortune and courage at QPR
Brendan Rodgers accepted that Liverpool did not reach the high standards he asks in a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers today, but praised the character summoned by his players to take three points from a testing encounter.
The energy produced by the hosts at Loftus Road forced the Reds back for large periods and a breakthrough on their part only arrived when a clever quick free-kick released Glen Johnson and the full-back's cross was diverted into his own net by Richard Dunne.
Gaining an element of control from that point, the travellers seemed destined for a successive Barclays Premier League win until Eduardo Vargas popped up in the right place to restore late parity for Harry Redknapp's team.
If Liverpool were deflated, they did not show it and, in fact, they promptly grasped another advantage, Philippe Coutinho pummelling a low finish for 2-1. But with the contest in frenzy, there was Vargas again to force home a near-post header and level once more.
Remarkably, there was time left for Raheem Sterling to sneak in behind the QPR backline and deliver a cross that centre-back Steven Caulker could only bundle home at an awkward angle, prompting a mixture of joy and relief for Rodgers and his side.
When the dust had settled and the Northern Irishman began to analyse what had unfolded, however, he admitted the performance had not been at an acceptable level while explaining why such results are crucial on the road to better displays.
"I thought we were fortunate, I've got to be honest," the boss said at his post-match press conference. "I like to win and I like to win in the way that we work on a daily basis - and that was nowhere near what I would expect from a team of mine.
"But I have to applaud the players and their character and attitude in the game because even though we weren't anywhere near the passing and rhythm of our game - and we had missed chances to close the game out - we still kept going.
"The players showed remarkable courage to do that. We have gained three points that we're happy to receive, having been nowhere near how this team has the capacity to play.
"We scored 101 goals last year, but the dynamic of the team has changed. That just takes time, unfortunately there's no magic wand to make it work instantly. We've got a lot of games, with less coaching time and a lot of new players.
"I commend the players again because they're coming in and working very hard to improve our performance level - and, like we've shown over my time here, that will improve. Until that happens, you have to win games and the three points were very important for us."
Sterling was at the heart of everything positive for the Reds, playing a pivotal role in all three goals in addition to providing a constant threat on the break with his searing pace and desire to run past defenders in the final third.
Rodgers reflected: "I thought he was outstanding. His cleverness and brightness for the first goal - I always say to the players that the best players come alive when the game goes dead, whether it's a throw-in or in the game. The bright players come alive and he spotted it and played it early.
"It was a great run by Glen Johnson to invite the quick ball and a great cross in and the defender scores an own goal. The breakaways for the other two goals were all about his speed, his technique and his courage to carry the ball and run with the ball.
"Coutinho showed great quality and it took a slight deflection for the second one. Raheem's pace got in behind for the third, he crosses the ball and if Caulker didn't get the own goal, then Balotelli probably gets the goal. I thought Raheem was excellent today. The kid is a big talent and you saw today that he was exceptional."
Today's clash kick-started a period of seven matches in 21 days in three different competitions for Liverpool, with attention now turning to a Champions League tie at home to Real Madrid on Wednesday evening.
The manager pledged that work will begin immediately on fine-tuning elements of the team's game, as Kopites prepare for an occasion that everybody linked to the club will thrive on at Anfield.
"I know there's a lot of improvement to make in our team," he concluded. "The benefit we have is that we're playing at Anfield with the support and encouragement that we get from the home crowd - it will be fantastic.
"We didn't play so well today but we won. We'll learn from it; we'll analyse the game and study it. But now we've got to focus on Real Madrid, who are playing as well as they've played for the last five to 10 years, with the threats and quality they have and they are the reigning champions.
"I'm really looking forward to that. I know the players won't be overly happy with how we played today but I don't think anyone can question the character and attitude of the team. We've got our three points and we'll look to improve our performance in the next game."