Liverpool FC failed to capitalize on their chances in the first half as they held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates stadium last night.
The Reds left London with only one point following an entertaining, but goalless draw against the Gunners. Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers was of the opinion that his side could have come away with all the three points. However, Rodgers was not seen complaining about a third consecutive clean sheet for his side after another contentious refereeing decision went their way.
Liverpool FC dominated in the opening exchanges with Philippe Coutinho hitting the crossbar in the 4th minute. Arsenal FC defenders were listless and committed a series of errors gifting possession to Liverpool FC, but the Reds failed to capitalize on the host of chances that fell their way in the first half.
However, it was not all down to poor finishing from the Anfield side as the Gunners’ goalkeeper Petr Cech put in a splendid performance. He saved a Christian Benteke shot from point blank range and tipped a Philippe Coutiho curler on to the post. Arsenal FC asserted themselves in the second half and looked the most likely to score; however, the Emirates outfit failed to break the deadlock.
We definitely could have had all three points – Brendan Rodgers
Speaking in his post match press conference, as quoted by the club’s official website, Rodgers said:
a We definitely could have had all three points. Certainly performance-wise, I was very happy with how we worked.
a The first half in particular we created chances and should have been in front. Second half, you expect some pressure in the game, but we defended that very well and always looked a threat going forward.
a Our performance level is growing all the time, you see our defensive organisation was very good against a top-class team. The overriding feeling is we get a point, a clean sheet and we move to the next game.
The former Swansea City manager acknowledged that last season his team’s intensity in pressing and cohesion as a unit was missing. He further emphasized that with a number of recruitments over the summer he felt a greater need for better organization in his defence to form a platform from which to build on as the season progresses.
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a With my teams the focus is always very much on the football element.
a But anyone who has followed my career as a youth coach through into senior management, it’s very much about the intensity of how we press and that cohesion as a team.
a That was something that drifted last season, for sure, so it was very important, especially with a number of new players coming in, that our defensive organisation was super organised. That’ll be the platform for us with all our creative talent.a
He made some fantastic saves – Brendan Rodgers on Petr Cech
Rodgers was also full of praise for Arsenal FC goalkeeper Petr Cech who was in outstanding form and made a number of key saves to keep the scores level. However, he did not shy away from praising his custodian too, who had also made a couple of critical but maybe not that spectacular saves in the second half.
a [It was a] great ball in by [Roberto] Firmino and a great save.
a He had a period of about 10-15 minutes, Petr, where he made some fantastic saves. I think [Christian] has done everything he possibly could, he’s stretching on it and he gets his contact.
a It was a good save and congratulations to the a keeper. Both a keepers were good, I thought a Simon Mignolet had to make a couple of good saves for us.a