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28 March 2024

Rodgers looks for sharper shooting from Liverpool

Liverpool's Luis Suarez controls the ball during the English Premier League match against Swansea City at the Liberty stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on November 25, 2012. (AFP)

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By AFP

Brendan Rodgers was left to lament a series of missed opportunities and an offside goal as Liverpool left south Wales with only a point after a 0-0 draw at Swansea City.

Jose Enrique had a first-half goal disallowed for offside at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, while Luis Suarez, Glen Johnson and Raheem Sterling came closest in a game that Liverpool just about deserved to win.

They would have done, had it not have been for Swansea's German goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel and some wayward finishing.

Rodgers, who spent two seasons at the Liberty Stadium before leaving for Anfield in the summer, said: "It was an emotional return.

"I have seen so many people I shared great moments of my life with. It is a fantastic place to come back to.

"It was a very good game. We played really, really well and created chances, but this is a difficult place to get a result.

"We were unfortunate with the offside goal we had ruled out. That was a goal, I have seen it on the replay. However, we are eight games unbeaten and we are chipping away and our method was good today.

"I thought it was a terrific game. Swansea's philosophy is well in place and they have some terrific players and are a really good team who have invested well.

"The difference is that little bit of quality and that's something we will look to improve on as time goes on.

"But I was pleased with our build up creativity and method and we were just a bit unfortunate with the offside goal and the chance we had with the two v one.

"We need to work on our attacking in the forthcoming months and years to round off a lot of good play. But that is the situation we are in.

"Suarez was bright and a threat. We had nine shots on target but we need to finish them.
Rodgers also paid tribute to the Swansea fans.

"The reception they gave me was very respectful and I thank them for that," said the Northern Irishman.

"I was always going to have good banter along the way but it was good to see people before the game started and being on the side of the field brought back memories. I will always remember my time here."

It was also the first time midfielder Joe Allen has been back to Swansea since he followed Rodgers to Merseyside.

Rodgers said: "I thought he did very well, he played more as the controller today.

"He has been terrific since he has come in. He has had a lot going on in recent weeks, he has become a father and had no sleep and what not. But he has been brilliant.

"His work rate was good and he received the ball well and played it forward at the right times. He was excellent."

For Swansea coach Michael Laudrup, it was another point in his side's bid to remain in the top flight for another season at least.

"I think it was a good point, I think we deserved that point," he said.

"From the outside it seemed a good game, two teams who have a good philosophy and who want to play.

"There could have been three or four goals. In the first half they had more chances than us but we had chances too, and I'm pleased with the performance.

"When you play against players like Suarez and (Steven) Gerrard, you know they will invent something, but I think we handled it well.

"They had chances and did some great things in the game. They are great players."

Laudrup was also delighted that there were no flashpoints between Suarez and Swansea skipper Ashley Williams, who criticised the Uruguayan in his newly released book.

"There has been a lot of talk about Suarez and Ashley and today we saw two guys trying to do their best," said the Dane.

"Suarez did some good things but maybe less than he is used to, as he played against two guys who did very well. There was one foul and a yellow card for Chico (Flores), but it was a fantastic game defensively."