Solid at the back: Rodgers hails resilient Reds after impressive display at Stoke

The Northern Irishman was all-praise for defensive discipline in 1-0 win.

LONDON/ STOKE-ON-TRENT: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes the determination shown by his players in the 1-0 victory over Stoke City will serve them well for the rest of the season.

The Reds were thrashed 6-1 at the Britannia Stadium on the final game of the previous Premier League campaign, but on the same ground in their opening fixture of this season — just 77 days later — battled to a narrow victory.

It was secured courtesy of a superb long-range strike from midfield playmaker Philippe Coutinho late in the game on the back of a disciplined defensive display from the visitors.

“It is always difficult when you come to Stoke. To get a win where we were thrashed 11 weeks ago is remarkable,” said the Northern Irishman. “Defensively we were strong and then we know we have the quality to win a game.”

Rodgers also hailed the quality of the decisive goal from Coutinho, which arrived four minutes from time.

“It was a great turn and he got away from the Stoke midfield and produced and a wonderful shot,” said Rodgers. “I think he already is one of the stars of the Premier League.”

Wenger warns Arsenal flops to shape up

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned his shell-shocked Arsenal stars they must improve quickly to avoid being cast adrift in the Premier League title race.

Feted as serious title contenders after last season’s FA Cup final rout of Aston Villa and their recent Community Shield victory over league champions Chelsea, Wenger’s side came crashing down to earth on Sunday as West Ham clinched a shock 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger admitted the result was a significant blow to Arsenal’s pre-season optimism, but he called on them to bounce back at Crystal Palace next Sunday and avoid a repeat of last season’s slow start.

“It is difficult [to recover] but it is part of our job,” said Wenger. “In any successful team it is how you respond to setbacks that matters. It is never a clear motorway. We have to respond quickly because we have a difficult start.”

Cech’s dismal debut was especially galling after he was hailed as the solution to Arsenal’s long-standing goalkeeping problems but Wenger was quick to lay the blame on the collective effort rather than on one individual.

“When you concede the goal before half-time, with the experience in our team, it was difficult to understand,” he added. “It is not only him [Cech], we have enough experience at the back. We are guilty to give them a goal as soft as that, but it was a collective lapse.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 11^th,  2015.

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