Rodgers Not Focused on Missed Opportunities

In the wake of today’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion, you got a real sense that the Reds had run out of both ideas and energy by the time Victor Anichebe had pulled the Baggies level and that an attacking substitution could have swung the pendulum back in the visitors favour.

When former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez brought Yossi Benayoun from the bench, you knew something was going to happen — unfortunately, after a poor transfer window, there was no super sub for Rodgers to call upon. Although the Anfield outfit can trumpet the second most goals in the Premier League to date,as well as arguably the best strike partnership, the Merseysiders were decidedly flat today with none of the passing verve or creative movement we saw midweek during the 4-0 demolition of Everton.

With deals for attacking pair Mohamed Salah and Yevhen Konoplyanka both going sour in the closing days of the winter window, the Northern Irishman is going to have to make due with the players at his disposal until the summer — something he’s not about to lose any sleep over.

“It is of no consequence now,” said the Reds boss when asked about their failure to capture Konoplyanka on transfer deadline day. “I don’t focus on that. There is no point in looking back.” Although Rodgers categorically denies reports in the Ukrainian media that Liverpool were unable to transfer the funds in time for the deal to go through, he does admit that bringing someone in would have been ideal.

“I said it would’ve been nice to have got some reinforcements in but that wasn’t to be the case and so yesterday has no consequence now” the bullish manager said. “I’ve got to work with the players I have here. We have 14 games to go, we are still in a great position and the squad is very focused on our objectives so I can’t afford to think about what we could or couldn’t have done.”