Liverpool proved aggression and composure can make a devastating combination when mixed properly.
Manager Brendan Rodgers credits Liverpool’s composure and aggression for its 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday in the fifth round of the FA Cup, according to LiverpoolFC.com. The Reds conceded a goal in the first half, but second-half strikes by Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana overturned the deficit and sealed their place in the quarterfinals.
After the game, Rodgers expressed his delight at leaving Selhurst Park with a win after two famous setbacks.
“It was certainly a different feeling to when we were here before,” Rodgers said at his postgame press conference. “I think you saw the confidence in the team and the composure today.
“The players turned it around. We just felt at half-time that we weren’t creating enough chances. I felt we needed to be more aggressive. We started the game not as aggressively as we would have wanted.
“They have players who want to compete. We felt once we shortened the pitch in the second half, we moved the game higher up the field, kept the ball and it was only going to be a matter of time.
“I thought the players showed great composure and great character in that second half.”
The win was Liverpool’s fourth in five games. It also extended Liverpool’s impressive run of results, the starting point of which was its 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace on Nov. 23 at Selhurst Park. Liverpool has lost just twice in 22 games (in all competitions) since that defeat. The dramatic turnaround has saved the Reds’ season from disaster and positioned them for a potentially exciting run-in.
