“We matched them toe-to-toe today; they have spent a lot of money during the summer and I didn’t think that was evident at all given both sides’ performances”, the 51-year-old added.
Advertisement
The midfielder said he didn’t believe his appointment as vice-captain at the Reds would change his role within the squad but believes he can have an impact on the young talent at the club.
Christian Benteke, James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez all made their competitive Liverpool debuts and, for much of the contest, the visitors lacked cohesion in the final third. Jack Butland in the Stoke goal became the latest in a growing list of Coutinho casualties.
In comparison to the loss they suffered during that embarrassing goal filled game last season, the 1-0 win is quite tame but Liverpool has no trouble celebrating the win. They’ve lost Raheem who was an important player, so I wouldn’t say it’s a better squad than previous year.
“Not just being the first game of the season, but obviously with what happened in the last game of last season, the boys showed great character. He’s only been back three weeks training so he’s not even at his peak”. “We were very fortunate he got the goal, he stayed on and we won the game”, continued Rodgers before warning that the diminutive attacker will only get better as the season progresses, “Coutinho is already is a star”.
“It was a great turn to get away from the midfield player and a wonderful shot”.
Mark Hughes’ men were only minutes away from securing a point against a new-look Liverpool side but Coutinho turned the match around with one sublime shot.
Coutinho stole the ball on the edge of the box, but it was pinched back off him, while Benteke subsequently saw his first real effort of the game blocked. “In terms of the performance, I am quietly confident we can go on from this point”.
In truth, it had been a scrappy game and Liverpool had to roll their sleeves up and fight for the result.
Advertisement
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino appaluds supporters as he walks from the pitch after the English Premier League soccer match between Stoke and Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke, England, Sunday August 9, 2015.
