Brendan Rodgers: Liverpool Was Technically Deficient In Man United Loss

Brendan Rodgers admitted Liverpool was guilty of conceding possession too easily after it went down to a 3-1 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.

A Daley Blind strike and a penalty from Ander Herrera put the hosts 2-0 in front in the second half at Old Trafford before Christian Benteke’s stunning overhead kick brought hope in the closing stages.

However, Anthony Martial made sure of the three points for United when he netted shortly after.

“We’re disappointed with the result and the performance,” Rodgers said. “I thought in the first half we were fairly organized but technically could have been much better with the ball.

“We didn’t keep the ball for long enough to create opportunities, but we didn’t give away too much either in the first half. It was only really when we gave the ball cheaply and put ourselves under pressure. So it was 0-0 at halftime, we’re OK and looking to play better in the second half.

“We’re disappointed with the free-kick. I thought both players were tangling for the ball, both had their arms up and Ashley Young jumps on the player’s (Nathaniel Clyne) back and gets a free-kick. But they worked it well and get the goal and we then gave away the penalty.

“At 2-0 you’re up against it. We then got on the front foot, Christian scored an incredible goal with a high level of technique, so we were back in the game at 2-1 and looking at maybe getting something. But we then conceded within a minute and at 3-1 the game is dead.

“Overall, we had plenty of effort and commitment but we needed to be better with the ball.”