Rodgers can draw positives despite lapse

Monday 27 August 2012

THIS was the sort of display Brendan Rodgers could have done with last week.

Liverpool 2 Manchester City 2

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Staff writer

The new Barclays Premier League season began under a fog of discontent as his newly-knitted together Liverpool side were picked apart by West Brom last weekend, but they went some way to ironing out the wrinkles at Anfield yesterday.

That a 2-2 draw came against champions Manchester City will be seized upon by Rodgers to reassure his squad that they are going in the right direction despite their opening day disappointment. He is unlikely to linger on the moment that transformed what would have been a deserved win into a solitary point, though.Having been put ahead by a sumptuous free-kick from Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel was less assured with a backpass that allowed Carlos Tevez to steal into the penalty area, round Pepe Reina and roll the ball into the net. It salvaged a point for City but left their hosts somewhat deflated, if still heartened by a hitherto encouraging display.The goal ensured that Tevez – for all his past foibles and huffs – remains fully ingratiated with his club once again. He was a persistent pest to Liverpool yesterday and he was eventually rewarded with Skrtel's gift just 10 minutes from time.Liverpool had dominated for large spells. Their 17-year-old striker Raheem Sterling impressed on his first league start and new signing Joe Allen looked composed on his home debut.They showed early intent as captain Steven Gerrard twice stabbed low long-range shots wide in the opening three minutes. Yet the game had hardly started when Liverpool were forced to make a change as Lucas, their Brazilian midfielder who missed most of last season with a knee injury, hobbled off with the match still in its infancy.Still, Liverpool should have gone ahead when the lively Sterling whipped in a fine cross for Fabio Borini, but the Italian volleyed wide.Tevez almost made him pay instantly as he latched on to a well-weighted pass from Samir Nasri but the angle was too tight and he did well enough to hit the far post.Kolo Toure blocked an effort by Borini, Suarez curled wide and Vincent Kompany almost sliced a vicious low curling cross from Gerrard into his own net as Anfield purred its approval. The play was full of intent with still a little raw, and it was not long until the famous stadium was in full voice.Skrtel came forward for a corner and powered a header past Joe. City were stung by the goal and struggled to make an impression as Liverpool went on to dominate the remainder of the first half. Suarez almost doubled his side's lead but shot wide after alert play from Borini.Roberto Mancini made changes in the second half, introducing Jack Rodwell to enable Yaya Toure to play in a more advanced role. Within moments City were back level – Tevez beating Sterling on the right and firing in a cross which the outstretched Reina was unable to claim. Yaya Toure was more assured, sweeping a shot into the net.Liverpool did not dwell on the disappointment and produced an immediate response. Rodwell was penalised for handball 25 yards from goal and Suarez bent a low shot past an ineffective wall.Yet just as it seemed Liverpool had the measure of the champions, Skrtel offered them a way back into the game as Tevez seized on his poor pass to draw City level. Andy Carroll came on to a huge roar in the closing minutes and almost grabbed a late winner with a header but his side were made to make do with a point. cANALYSIS Mistake by Skrtel tarnishes improved performance from home side

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Rodgers can draw positives despite lapse

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