We are bigger than one player: Rodgers

Liverpool boss pleased with club’s post-Suarez performance in EPL.

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said he was encouraged by the manner in which his side have responded to life without Luis Suarez following their 2-1 win over Southampton.

Uruguay striker Suarez departed Liverpool for Barcelona during the close season and there were question marks over how Liverpool would cope in his absence.

“Our ambitions here at Liverpool have to be bigger than one player,” said Rodgers.

“Suarez sent us a lovely text [message] this morning wishing us all the best, which was a great gesture. He is a friend now of Liverpool,but he is gone.”

“We are bigger than any player. We do still want another striker, but that will depend on the availability. It was all about winning against Southampton.

“As much as the good football we play, it was about grinding it out so I am really happy with that team performance.”

“It was very hard-fought. Just because Southampton have lost players, it’s not going to be a walkover.

“The players are still searching for their fitness; they are still getting their condition and getting themselves back into it.”

Raheem Sterling put Liverpool ahead with a composed finish from Jordan Henderson’s through-ball against Southampton on Sunday, but Nathaniel Clyne fired in the equaliser. However, Liverpool secured maximum points when Southampton failed to clear a cross, allowing Sterling to head the ball into the path of Daniel Sturridge, who scruffily nudged it past Fraser Forster.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2014.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.