Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 2: Rodgers praises Reds ‘character’ despite slip-up

Brendan Rodgers opted to praise his Liverpool side’s character after the Reds came from two goals down to earn a point against Aston Villa at Anfield.

Andreas Weimann put Villa ahead in the 25th minute, before Christian Benteke’s header doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark.

If you can’t win, it’s important that you don’t lose the game and I think we showed that character again today

Brendan Rodgers

Daniel Sturridge pulled a goal back for Liverpool before half-time after being teed up by Jordan Henderson.

And Steven Gerrard’s penalty levelled the score after Luis Suárez was adjudged to have been brought down by goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

“I thought first half we were not at our best,” said Rodgers. “You have to give credit to Villa for that.

“They were dynamic and we could not get any flow in the game. We were disappointed with the goals.

“In the second half we had much more intensity in the game and we could have gone on to win it.

“Ideally we want to win the home games and we’ve been on a great run here. But if you can’t win, it’s important that you don’t lose the game and I think we showed that character again today.”

The draw leaves Liverpool fourth in the Premier League table, eight points behind leaders Arsenal.

And Rodgers continued: “It leaves us with the possibility of arriving in the top four, we know it was always going to be difficult for us. I have seen enough of the character of the players to keep pushing forwards.

“We cannot be at our best every day.”