Brendan Rodgers keen to heap praise upon the team and hailed the scoring return of Daniel Sturridge who returned to the Anfield turf for the first time in over five months to seal all three points in front of 45,000 eager fans.
The 2-0 win over Sam Alladyce’s men meant that Liverpool’s unbeaten run in their back yard extends to three games, as well as becoming extending their run in the Premier League to seven games.
The game was fiercely competed throughout the 90 minutes, playmaker Philippe Coutinho the pick of the bunch playing a part in both goals opening up a tight West Ham defence to assist Raheem Sterling in scoring his fifth goal of the campaign and with ten minute’s to play the keenly anticipated return of striker Daniel Sturridge topped off his cameo with a goal beating Spaniard Adrian at his near post, again assisted by the brilliant Coutinho.
“It was nice for him,” said a satisfied Rodgers at his press briefing after the final whistle. “He has obviously been out a long time and worked very hard.”
“You can see it is now just about managing his game time and introduction into the team. When he’s in that area of the field, he has shown for us over a couple of years here that he is lethal.”
“A great first touch, then he’s got great power off both sides. It was a wonderful finish and I’m delighted for him.”
“He has come back into the fold and it’s just managing that integration into the team. I know he is really excited about coming into this team to play.”
“On the back of 120 minutes in the week and going into extra time, we knew today was going to be a tough game.”
“West Ham have been excellent this season, scored goals throughout the season and been very tough to play against.”
“But after the first 15-20 minutes, when we had to compete and battle physically, the players earned the right to play. Some of their football today was outstanding.”
“In the second half we had good control of the game, good positioning, got our goals and maybe could have had a few more. So I’m very pleased.”
Rodgers went on to praise the efforts of the players. The defensive and attacking problems seemingly of the past, the Northern Irishman highlighted the brilliant efforts, which saw the backline win twenty-six of their thirty-two tackles. With the introduction of Jordon Ibe, Rodgers was first to single out the youngster and highlight the attacking threat going forward.
He said: “With the introduction of him and young Jordon Ibe on the side, we looked a real threat going forward.”
“We have been that over the last seven to eight weeks; the penetration and, slowly, the performance is getting better and better.”
“Offensively, we were bright and the positioning of the team was good with really good tactical discipline in the team.”
“And again, defensively, when they had to deal with the pressure – I thought Sakho was outstanding today, really aggressive and strong, with Martin Skrtel, both of them were very good. “
And Simon Mignolet coming and dealing with things in the box, because there were a lot of aerial duels that you have got to deal with.
“The team stood up to that very well, pressed the game well and got their rewards for that. It was an outstanding performance.”
Rodgers happy with the performance as whole followed on his comments to compliment the performance of the players and spoke of his excitement, ahead of the second half of the season now that the team are performing to the standards he expects them to.
“I thought Adam Lallana was brilliant today; young Coutinho’s two passes were phenomenal. Raheem is an outstanding talent and it was a very good finish by him.”
“Young Jordon Ibe, Alberto Moreno – players that are improving and young players that are getting better.”
“Then the two guys behind that, Jordan [Henderson] and Lucas Leiva, were brilliant in the defensive controlling role. The three centre-halves and goalkeeper were excellent.”
“I’m excited about the whole collective, there are talents throughout the team, young players that are developing very quickly. It’s good to see.”
