Liverpool 0 Aston Villa 1: Slow start cost us, admits Brendan Rodgers
Liverpool 0 Aston Villa 1: Brendan Rodgers blames his side's slow start after Red slump to surprise Anfield defeat
Brendan Rodgers bemoaned Liverpool’s slow start after Aston Villa sealed a shock victory at Anfield.
Gabriel Agbonlahor gave the visitors a ninth-minute lead at Anfield as Paul Lambert’s men battled hard to earn victory on Merseyside.
We had time to get back into the game but couldn’t get the result
Brendan Rodgers
“We started the game slowly,” Rodgers told Sky Sports.
“Aston Villa defended well, they went 1-0 up and we just couldn’t find the final pass. We had enough of the ball but couldn’t create so much.
“It sometimes what happens in football. Normally we’re a team that starts very fast, our tempo is usually at a high level, and for some reason we just didn’t start like that today. When a good team gets in front then it’s difficult to break them down.”
The loss leaves Liverpool, who saw Mario Balotelli and Adam Lallana make their home debuts, eighth in the Premier League table on six points after four games.
“I can’t question the players, in terms of their effort and commitment in the game – they were first-class,” Rodgers continued.
“We’re obviously disappointed with the goal but no complaints. We had time to get back into the game but couldn’t get the result.”
