Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers hails youngsters following Bordeaux draw
Friday 18 September 2015 07:08, UK
Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool’s youngsters provided great encouragement for the future in the 1-1 Europa League draw with Bordeaux.
An inexperienced side were nine minutes away from getting their Europa League campaign off to the perfect start in France on Thursday night when Jussie cancelled out Adam Lallana's superb opening goal.
A victory - considering the average age of the side was just 21.7 years when academy graduate Pedro Chirivella replaced the injured Kolo Toure in the first half - would have more than justified Rodgers' gamble in leaving six first-team regulars at home.
The Liverpool manager was nevertheless impressed with performances of his rising stars, which included the likes of Jordan Ibe, Joe Gomez, Jordan Rossiter and Chirivella.
"As the game wore on they combined with the other players and I thought they acquitted themselves well," he said.
"If you take those two, Jordon Ibe who is 19, Joe Gomez who is 18, there was great encouragement for the young players and supporters.
"I was so proud of them. I will always give the young players an opportunity if they have the personality."
There was also a welcome return to action for Lallana. The England midfielder's rustiness after a month's absence was dispelled in one brilliant piece of skill for the goal, nutmegging Pablo with one touch and sliding the ball inside the far post with his second.
"It was an outstanding goal. It was his touch and creativity which we have not seen so much of this season," Rodgers added.
"I was disappointed their striker got too many touches in the box but if you can't win, especially away from home in Europe, you at least get a point and we're satisfied with that."
Rodgers was also happy with the performance of Mamadou Sakho. The France defender was one of eight changes, but was made captain on the night despite it being his first appearance of the season.
"Sakho was immense at the back. He knows he has had to be patient and his attitude has been first-class," he said.
"He has trained very well, kept professional, done his extra work on his fitness and he has got his rewards for that.
"He certainly comes into the reckoning for the weekend (against Norwich)."
