This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/11/liverpool-newcastle-premier-league-match-report
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Liverpool come from behind to seal bittersweet victory over Newcastle | Liverpool come from behind to seal bittersweet victory over Newcastle |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Brendan Rodgers thumped his chest in pride and responded to the unreserved acclamation of the Kop with applause of his own. If there was regret accompanying Liverpool on their lap of appreciation at Anfield, their manager did well to hide it. "I knew when there was no roar from the crowd during the game that the story was probably elsewhere," he said. "We've just finished short but we will be back again next season." Stronger and undoubtedly wiser for this experience. | Brendan Rodgers thumped his chest in pride and responded to the unreserved acclamation of the Kop with applause of his own. If there was regret accompanying Liverpool on their lap of appreciation at Anfield, their manager did well to hide it. "I knew when there was no roar from the crowd during the game that the story was probably elsewhere," he said. "We've just finished short but we will be back again next season." Stronger and undoubtedly wiser for this experience. |
| The finale was suitably flat against Newcastle United, the crowd imploring one final push but the Liverpool players lacking the same conviction until Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge converted two Steven Gerrard free-kicks in quick succession. Newcastle lost their discipline and two men to red cards. Liverpool ended the season with 84 points, 101 goals, 16 wins from 19 home games and automatic Champions League qualification secured in thrilling style, yet feel as though they lost far more with those costly slips against Chelsea and Crystal Palace. | The finale was suitably flat against Newcastle United, the crowd imploring one final push but the Liverpool players lacking the same conviction until Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge converted two Steven Gerrard free-kicks in quick succession. Newcastle lost their discipline and two men to red cards. Liverpool ended the season with 84 points, 101 goals, 16 wins from 19 home games and automatic Champions League qualification secured in thrilling style, yet feel as though they lost far more with those costly slips against Chelsea and Crystal Palace. |
| "I'm absolutely devastated. I can't sugar-coat this," a haunted Gerrard admitted. At 33, the first genuine title challenge of the Liverpool captain's career has been as cruel as it was unexpected. It has also set the bar for next season before the last rites were passed on this campaign. "It was a fantastic season but we need to bounce back and go one better," he added. | "I'm absolutely devastated. I can't sugar-coat this," a haunted Gerrard admitted. At 33, the first genuine title challenge of the Liverpool captain's career has been as cruel as it was unexpected. It has also set the bar for next season before the last rites were passed on this campaign. "It was a fantastic season but we need to bounce back and go one better," he added. |
| Rodgers is unequivocal that will be the case. Liverpool will strengthen with proven talent, says a manager with Adam Lallana and Steven Caulker in his sights but conscious of the club's poor track record in that department in recent windows. The Champions League should improve the strike rate at a stroke. It will also increase the workload on a squad that prospered from no European football this season but first place and that elusive 19th league championship is already Rodgers' stated target. | |
| "Yes we can make the final step," the Liverpool manager said. "We won't go into next season with doubts. I read a letter to the players on the first day of the season from a supporter about getting into the top four and the pride he has in the club. It said not just to think about fourth but to think about winning [the league]. I think at the time the players thought the letter was a bit far-fetched. I read it back to them today and the word that went into the players' minds was the same as at the start of the season. The word is belief. We believe we can be up there challenging next season." | |
| Rodgers is adamant Liverpool's style will only be enhanced next season, not curtailed at the expense of the defensive authority that was so clearly lacking in the 3-3 draw at Selhurst Park on Monday. At half-time against Newcastle he implored the players not to end their outstanding season "with a whimper". As was the case against Chelsea's two buses a fortnight ago, Liverpool struggled to find solutions against the visitors' 5-4-1 formation, trailed to Martin Skrtel's fourth own goal in one season, a Premier League record, and could have been further behind when Yoan Gouffran raced through only to be denied by Simon Mignolet. | |
| Their title challenge may have whimpered out but on the final day, with Newcastle losing their composure when the referee Phil Dowd awarded the two decisive free-kicks and dismissed Shola Ameobi for dissent, plus substitute Paul Dummett late on for a foul on Luis Suárez, Liverpool responded with character once more. Rodgers' success in building team spirit has been largely overlooked amid his impact on the field but Anfield's appreciation is all-encompassing. | |
| "I can understand why there was some scepticism when I first arrived," he admitted. "I replaced Kenny Dalglish and was just aiming to continue his work. It was a total restoration of a club. We wanted to change the playing style, cut the finances and a big wage bill right down and get a playing style that would win games. The supporters had lost a manager who was an iconic figure and got a 39-year-old with one year's experience in the Premier League. I've got no big background as a player in the game. I will always have to prove myself. I've never had the protection of a big career and I still have a long way to go. I am still only 41 and hopefully I'll prove I am worthy of such a great club." | "I can understand why there was some scepticism when I first arrived," he admitted. "I replaced Kenny Dalglish and was just aiming to continue his work. It was a total restoration of a club. We wanted to change the playing style, cut the finances and a big wage bill right down and get a playing style that would win games. The supporters had lost a manager who was an iconic figure and got a 39-year-old with one year's experience in the Premier League. I've got no big background as a player in the game. I will always have to prove myself. I've never had the protection of a big career and I still have a long way to go. I am still only 41 and hopefully I'll prove I am worthy of such a great club." |
| Rodgers also delivered an impassioned defence of Alan Pardew, asking how "the manager can be blamed when his club hasn't made a permanent signing for 18 months and sold its best player in Yohan Cabaye".The Newcastle manager no doubt appreciated the support and admitted "the club needs to recruit well. We need to give the fans something to hang on to in pre-season."Liverpool, for all the despair of the final fortnight, are already there. | |
| Man of the match Mike Williamson (Newcastle United) | Man of the match Mike Williamson (Newcastle United) |