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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers: ‘No regrets’ over injury-time win over Barcelona

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that he has no regrets about his decision to send his side out on Saturday to face Barcelona in a Champions League qualifier at Anfield.

The Reds went into the game with only a one-point advantage over Barcelona, who have just seven points from 17 games.

“I think we had to take that one with a pinch of salt.

But you know what?

We were up against a really good team.

I don’t know if you’re aware of how much Barcelona play,” Rodgers said on Saturday.”

You just look at the numbers.

They’ve been the top-scoring side in Europe this season, they’ve got two players who have scored more than 100 goals in a season, and they’ve scored more in a match than we have all season.”

So it’s a good team, it’s really good football, and we’re going to have to take them on.

“It is the first time since the 2014-15 season that Liverpool have not lost a Champions Leagues match in all competitions, with a 0-0 draw at Manchester United on May 29 and a 2-0 loss at home to Norwich on March 1.”

It’s always tough for me to say that I’ve regretted anything, but I have,” Rodgers added.”

We didn’t play well in the first half and I think that’s what the supporters want to see from us.

“The players didn’t deserve to lose a game and it’s difficult to blame them, but there’s a bit of a learning curve.”

Reds are now eight points behind Barcelona, and Rodgers is confident of retaining the top spot after their impressive start to the campaign.

“There’s no doubt we’re the favourites.

I’m really proud of the players and what we’ve achieved,” he said.”

For me it’s always important that we have that first goal and that last goal.”

In the last 10 games we’ve scored 11 goals and we have conceded two.

That’s where the lads have to get stronger.

“They’ve got a lot of work to do.

It’s going to take time.”

Liverpool’s next game is at home against Everton on Sunday, with the Reds looking to build on Saturday’s performance against Barcelona.

“If you’re in a competitive situation and you don’t win, then you’re not in a good position to go out and get results.”

And that’s why we’ve got to keep working hard.

We’ve got the players that have got to improve and that’s our focus.

“We’re working very hard every day and we can only improve from here.”

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