Rodgers: Frustration amid great response
Brendan Rodgers was frustrated with the result as Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by Hull City today but, simultaneously, felt buoyed by an improvement in performance from the midweek defeat in the Champions League.
The statistics show that the Reds had 17 shots on goal to the Tigers' six at Anfield, while the home side enjoyed 66 per cent possession, yet no breakthrough in front of goal arrived across the 90 minutes.
Liverpool had entered the fixture on the back of a 3-0 reversal against Real Madrid on Wednesday and seeking to extend their winning run in the Barclays Premier League to three matches following victories over West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers.
Ultimately that did not happen in a game that Rodgers believed should have brought maximum points for his charges, although the Northern Irishman nevertheless took heart from the display his players produced.
"I thought it was a great response for us from the game in midweek," the manager reflected when quizzed by reporters at his post-match press conference inside the ground.
"We were maybe a bit slow in the first half but in the second half we were outstanding - the energy and effort we put into the game, and we created chances.
"It was a game that we should have had three points from. We had enough chances; I'm frustrated that we didn't win the game, but performance-wise I'm happy with our reaction to the midweek game."
The Reds' dominance of the encounter grew steadily as time progressed and they summoned a number of opportunities in the closing stages, with both Philippe Coutinho and Mario Balotelli thwarted by goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic.
In stoppage time, the former had danced down the left side and crossed dangerously for the latter, who appeared primed to tap home his first Premier League goal for the club - but the Hull stopper rushed out to block.
On the late opportunity for the Italian to snatch a victory, Rodgers commented: "There were a couple of chances that fell for him around the six-yard box.
"It was a great run by Philippe Coutinho, he opened up his foot to try to guide it in - it was a big chance and we had one or two of those in the game but we just couldn't quite put the ball in the net.
"I thought Mario worked very well and very hard. He maybe thought he wasn't going to play today. You saw that he is working hard and at the moment he's doing his best.
"Unfortunately, it's about confidence sometimes when you don't get the goal. He kept going and kept getting into the areas, and I thought he and Rickie Lambert worked very well when [the substitutes] came on."
Balotelli was the focal point in attack from kick-off on Saturday, before later moving slightly to the left when Rodgers shuffled his options and made alterations to the system in place on the pitch.
Though the No.45 could not add his name to the scoresheet, the boss praised his summer signing's work ethic in training and determination to improve in pursuit of goals.
"I've only been working with him for a short period of time," he added. "I gauge it, first and foremost, on the training field. He puts himself out to train every single day - he's out there wanting to be better and wanting to improve.
"Goalscorers will tell you they get their energy and confidence from the ball hitting the back of the net. It's just not quite happening for him in terms of that, but all I ask is that they do their best.
"You saw today's reaction, he worked very hard and he was just unlucky we didn't get the goal. He'll be disappointed he hasn't scored. But it was a big effort by the team physically - we just couldn't find the final touch."