Rodgers reflects on Chelsea reversal

The Reds raced into an early advantage at Anfield when Emre Can opened his account for the club with a long-range, deflected drive on nine minutes that was just reward for a bright opening by the German midfielder and co.

But the visitors immediately levelled through Gary Cahill's close-range finish, then grasped all three points on Merseyside when Diego Costa powered home a loose ball midway through the second half.

"We had the possession and enough territory but maybe lacked a bit once we arrived into the important areas of the field," Rodgers reflected at his post-match press conference.

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"That's something we have shown in my time here - we have been a creative force and dynamic in creating chances and getting goals. Today, the players worked very hard to get it into the areas but we just couldn't quite find the final pass or touch.

"At the moment it's difficult for us because we're not getting results and it has been a tough week. The [international] break probably comes at a good time for us; we're hoping we can get one or two injuries back after that, then look to get on a run, because that's going to be important for us.

"Our focus is very much on getting into the top four. That was the key for us this year with the considerable change we've had, and we still have a big possibility to do that."

Chelsea's second goal - converted at the back post by Costa following a dribble into dangerous territory along the left by Cesar Azpilicueta, who was adjudged to have kept the ball in play - brought frustration for Rodgers.

"I think from a coaching perspective, we'll look at it and say that whether [the ball] is going out or not, we've got to recover quicker back into the box," was his analysis. "We feel that it may have gone out.

"But when it doesn't go out, we'd want to defend that little bit better. But that's the way it's gone. Sometimes when things are going for you, the linesman gives the throw-in and then you're balanced in the game again."

Aside from the deadlock-breaker, Can was a robust presence in Liverpool's midfield, providing energy and strength against a formidable outfit that arrived at Anfield with eight wins and two draws from 10 Premier League fixtures.

Asked for an assessment of the 20-year-old's display, the manager commented: "I thought he did very well. The plan was to play Emre because of the physicality of Chelsea. They're a big team and they have a physical presence.

"Emre is coming back to fitness now. He's been out for a little bit of time and he's getting the game time and doing very, very well. He looked strong, took his goal very well - and I was very happy with the goal because we showed good composure in our build-up.

"We had a great start and tactically we were good in the game, but we didn't keep that. But I think him coming into the team as a young player, he is getting to grips with the experience of the Premier League and he's looking very good in training and in the games."

The Northern Irishman had opted to make seven changes to the line-up that started at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening and were beaten 1-0 by Champions League holders Real Madrid.

Reporters gathered inside the stadium for the briefing quizzed the boss on his reasoning for the XI named from kick-off today. "The players understood where they were at," he explained.

"We had a decent performance in the week. The players coming into the game knew exactly what we were looking at. Whenever you lose a game, it will always go against you.

"We were playing a gameplan today, which was to look to keep Cesc Fabregas quiet because he's a big player for them. For that, we had Jordan Henderson in a marking role and he did it very well.

"The influence from Fabregas in the game was limited. We needed him [Henderson] for that energy to do that over the course of the 90 minutes.

"The changes raised a lot of criticism in the week, which I can take - there's no issue with that. What I thought was unfair was the disservice to the players, because Kolo Toure is not a reserve player, he's an experienced player. He's played in the Champions League and played very, very well for us.

"Adam Lallana is a full international player and Lucas Leiva is a Brazilian international player. I made the call, the players have been brilliant in their approach to the games and we just haven't got the results.

"There is pressure on when you don't get the result, but I can only refocus now and it's important we get back to winning ways after the international break."

With time ticking away, Rodgers opted to make a double change on 70 minutes when Joe Allen and Fabio Borini came on in place of Philippe Coutinho and Can.

"I didn't feel we were creating enough in the game, so to try to change the momentum we got an extra striker on," explained the manager.

"The supporters are a big part of what we're doing and they'll be frustrated - they've seen the team lose three games on the spin, and that's something they're not used to.

"I totally understand that, there is no issue there. They give us great support and there's that bit of frustration all round at the moment. I can understand that."

When the Reds return to duty in 15 days' time at Crystal Palace, Rodgers will hope to be able to call upon the services of striker Daniel Sturridge, who has not played since August 31 due to thigh and calf problems.

"We hope so - it has been a long time," he said of the No.15. "We're hoping that he can now get to work. He hasn't trained with the team at all during that time.

"But he has just gone onto the grass with the rehab team. Hopefully, over the course of the next couple of weeks, he can be out there training with the squad and we can have him back. It will be important because he makes a big impact for us."

Having had one claim for a penalty for handball rejected in the first half, Liverpool's players were convinced they should have had a spot-kick late on when, in a carbon copy scenario, Cahill again blocked inside the box.

"It's a big decision in a big game that we didn't get," assessed Rodgers. "I wasn't even in doubt.

"My players gave everything today. They deserved something from it and if we weren't going to get it in open play, then certainly we should have had it from the penalty spot, so we're disappointed we didn't get that.

"But that's where we are at, at the moment. We're not getting the rub of the green and it's been a tough week in terms of results. These players are so committed and they are giving everything, but we're not getting that bit of good fortune that you need."