Liverpool 2 Udinese 3: Joe Allen disappointed to concede ‘cheap goals’
Liverpool 2 Udinese 3: Joe Allen admits the Reds were disappointed to concede "cheap goals" in their defeat at Anfield
Joe Allen admitted Liverpool were disappointed to concede “cheap goals” after Udinese came from behind to beat the Reds in their Europa League encounter at Anfield.
The Reds took a 21st-minute lead when Jonjo Shelvey got on the end of Stewart Downing’s cross to thunder his header past Udinese goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic.
However, Antonio Di Natale levelled the score 33 seconds into the second half and a Sebastián Coates own goal and Giovanni Pasquale effort made it 3-1 before substitute Luis Suárez netted a consolatory free-kick.
It leaves Liverpool in third place in Group A behind Anzhi Makhachkala and Udinese, and Allen conceded the defeat was tough to accept after Brendan Rodgers’ side had dominated the first half.
“It’s very frustrating,” said Allen.
“To be leading 1-0 at home, controlling the game and looking very comfortable, but then coming off the pitch with nothing is a bitter pill to swallow.
“In the last 20 minutes, we really did throw everything at them. We created some good chances and played some good attacking, fast-flowing football.
“But unfortunately, that five-minute spell really, really cost us and we’ll have to learn from it going into our next European encounter.”
He added: “If you look at the game, there certainly were positives to take – it was just the cheap goals we gave away that is probably our one and only disappointment.
“That’s football for you. It’s a ruthless game and you get punished if you take your eye off the ball even if just for one second.”
