LONDON: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was left casting envious glances at his rivals’ squads after a second defeat in four days bruised their title challenge and left him looking up the table rather than down.
The Merseysiders topped the Premier League on Christmas Day, but a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, on the back of losing to Manchester City by the same scoreline, has dumped them down to fifth.
They were far from outclassed and took the lead in both games but ultimately came unstuck and were without an inspirational game changer waiting in the wings to come off the bench.
“We couldn’t have had two tougher games against two greater squads. Our squad is very thin at the moment,” Rodgers told BBC Sport after the game.
“Against Manchester City we were the best team and today, after taking the lead, we gave away a disappointing goal.
“The players have been outstanding. If one or two things had gone our way maybe the result would have been different. At the start of our season this squad was very thin anyway and we needed that bit of luck with nobody getting injured but up until four weeks ago that worked for us.”
With captain Steven Gerrard and striker Daniel Sturridge already sidelined, they suffered further bad news on the injury front with defender Mamadou Sakho limping off clutching his hamstring and midfielder Joe Allen also forced off. (AFP)
