Brendan Rodgers: Young Reds Deserved Draw Vs. Bordeaux In Europa League

Brendan Rodgers was left “satisfied and encouraged” with the performance of a young Liverpool side after it drew 1-1 with Bordeaux on Thursday evening.

Teenage midfielder Jordan Rossiter made his European bow as he was included in the starting XI for the Reds’ first Europa League game of the new season.

And he was soon joined in the middle of the park by Pedro Chirivella, who replaced the injured Kolo Toure after just 28 minutes to make his competitive debut for the club.

The average age of the team at that point stood at just 21.7, while Cameron Brannagan’s late introduction made it a successful night for all those involved at the Academy.

As a result, Rodgers wasn’t too disheartened to see his team held to a draw after Adam Lallana’s brilliant opener was cancelled out in the second half.

“You’re obviously disappointed, but I was more satisfied and encouraged by the performance,” Rodgers told reporters in his postgame press conference. “We had so many young players in the team — and some of these players were playing their first games — so I thought it was very encouraging.

“Coming away in European games is always tough to do, but with the lack of experience we had and a lot of the young players, I was delighted with that.

“You’re disappointed to concede. The striker had too many touches in the box and then they got a bit of good fortune when Emre (Can) slides and the ball ricochets to him (Jussie).

“But if you can’t win, especially away from home in European games, it’s important you get a point — and we certainly at least deserved that.”