Anzhi Makhachkala (1) Liverpool (0): Try to Act Surprised

A bit of skill from Lacina Traoré in the first half injury time was enough to put big spending Anzhi Makhachkala top of Europa League Group A after the Liverpool youngsters failed to impress in Russia. Brendan Rodgers rested a number of key players ahead of this weekend’s trip to Stamford Bridge and this youthful side — conservatively spiced with the bit part players — weren’t sent out with the expectation of taking full points.

Though the boss might argue otherwise, there weren’t too many of us that expected more than what we got. A half-decent run out for Adam Morgan and Conor Coady gave us a glimpse of what the future might offer, but it was dire from the onset. Passes and possession without penetration brought nothing in the way of passion; surprisingly, that wasn’t all our fault. Brendan Rodgers put a side out there that was looking for a draw, but Guus Hiddink had his A-Team on display — though you’d never know it. Still, they did what they set out to do; it may have been a bit tiresome for all involved, but a win is three points and that’s more than we got out of Russia with.

Roll on Chelsea? Quite right.