Rodgers rues ‘lazy’ Reds slip-up

Liverpool 2 Udinese 3

Three second-half goals sent Liverpool spinning to defeat in last night’s Europa League Group A match at Anfield. Rodgers’ team led when Jonjo Shelvey headed them into a first-half lead from Stewart Downing’s cross.

However, Antonio Di Natale levelled the scores early in the second half and a Sebastian Coates own goal and Giovanni Pasquale effort made it 3-1. Substitute Luis Suarez raised hopes of a snatched draw with a superb free-kick but there was no equaliser in the closing stages.

Rodgers admitted: “It’s quite straightforward. We were very, very good in the first half and the problem we had in the first 15 or 20 minutes of the second half had been with us since the start of the season.

“We lose concentration and become lazy and in that period we go 3-1 down.

“We just concede goals too easily, that’s something we need to improve on. We can’t have to score three, four or five goals to win games.

“We’re just disappointed after such a good first half to give away such poor goals in the second half to leave us chasing the game.”

The result leaves Liverpool third in Group A after two games, with big-spending Russians Anzhi Makhachkala next on the horizon.

“There are quality teams in this group,” said Rodgers. “Qualification is obviously what we’re looking for but it is also an opportunity to play some younger players.

“Some of the players from the earlier rounds have worked their way into the first team.”

LIVERPOOL: Reina, Johnson, Coates, Carragher, Robinson, Henderson (Gerrard 65), Allen, Shelvey, Downing, Borini (Sterling 79), Assaidi (Suarez 65).

UDINESE: Brkic, Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi, Faraoni, Agyemang-Badu, Pinzi (Willians 70), Pasquale, Pereyra, Di Natale (Ranegie 85), Armero (Lazzari 46).

Ref: S Johannesson (Sweden).