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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers confident of Europa win

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments448

Zenit fans

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says his team can overturn a 2-0 deficit when they meet Zenit St Petersburg in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.

Zenit defeated the Reds in the first leg on Thursday thanks to two goals in two second-half minutes.

"There is no way the tie is over - we are more than capable of getting the goals back," said Rodgers.

"What gives us hope is that we created enough to win the game."

Liverpool's Luis Suarez was guilty of squandering several chances; missing from five yards and failing to hit the target despite being clean through in the first half. He also shot wide on two other occasions.

"He could have had a hat-trick by half-time," added the 39-year-old manager. "It wasn't his night but he's been brilliant for us all season."

Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti echoed Rodgers's sentiments, warning his team that Liverpool's fans were capable of inspiring their side to victory.

"During the first half we had a number of opportunities - as well as our opponents - and in the second half we managed to convert those opportunities into goals," he said.

"The tie is far from over. We're going to Anfield. It's the place where the hosts' fans become monsters, the players become really up for the fight."

Meanwhile, Rodgers thanked Zenit fans for creating a "wonderful atmosphere" inside the stadium.

Liverpool had written to European football's governing body Uefa and the Russian club "expressing their concerns" over the potential threat of racist abuse.

In December, a Zenit fans' group called for non-white and gay players to be excluded from the team.

Rodgers said: "I can only thank the club for how we've been received.

"I read and heard a lot about Zenit St Petersburg as a club, city and people before we got here.

"There were no problems at the game, it was a wonderful atmosphere and we want to thank the people of Zenit and Russia."

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448 comments

  • Comment posted by James, at 11:45 15 Feb 2013

    Brendan Rodgers is hilarious, he's like the David Brent of football management. I hope Liverpool keep him for entertainment purposes alone.

  • Comment posted by User0692089641, at 13:14 15 Feb 2013

    Joke of a club. Deluded fans. Long may it continue.

  • Comment posted by Complete and utter horse, at 09:30 15 Feb 2013

    Worrying times for Liverpool... the manager can barely contain his excitement and glee after suffering a 2-0 reverse.

  • Comment posted by Welling 4 Promotion, at 09:54 15 Feb 2013

    @55 - It may have been a mistake (I personally do not think it was) but wouldn't firing yet another coach be another mistake. Sometimes you have to just live with your decisions.

    Kenny would not have done any better, on the contrary - he would have just wasted more money with less results. The mistake was using your heart instead of your head in hiring him in the 1st place.

    Give managers time!

  • Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 14:36 15 Feb 2013

    @281 suarezandhismightybrigade

    And as for Swansea being better. They are below us.
    ___________________________________

    Er no they are a point ahead of Liverpool in the league...

  • Comment posted by 20 titles and counting, at 09:01 15 Feb 2013

    Europless! welcome to Brendan's 50 year project!

  • Comment posted by None Of The Above, at 12:53 15 Feb 2013

    BBC's Match of the Day: "Because of the FA Cup there's no Match of the Day this Saturday but we have MOTD2 presented from Anfield, Sunday, 11.05pm, BBC One."

    Seeing as the MOTD team's mostly LFC fans, why isn't it always "presented from Anfield"?

    YAWN

  • Comment posted by Gooner Expat , at 08:50 15 Feb 2013

    NO WAY?!?! Another Liverpool thread?! Another 400 comments of mancs and scousers having a go at eachother? How about some insightful articles with the opportunity to respond on, say, West Brom, Everton, heck, tottenham even? WHY does liverpool get more attention than their peers in the middle of the PL table?!

  • Comment posted by D1679102676020, at 13:09 15 Feb 2013

    What Liverpool are doing is what i call a "financially safe gamble". They aren't going to spend millions on world class players any more, so they are trying to do a Barcelona and get players who can adapt to a certain style. IF this ever happens then you're looking at several years before any success is apparent to train those players up, & that's if they're even good enough in the 1st place.

  • Comment posted by User0673202988, at 15:30 15 Feb 2013

    290. Bilbo. The reason LFC and UTD are featured heavily on these comments boards irrespective of the original article, is that they are still the 2 biggest clubs in the country and the biggest draw home and abroad.

    As is said in Liverpool - Fact.

    Is big draws a reference to the Sneaky Russian

  • Comment posted by User0180909860, at 14:58 15 Feb 2013

    How many times has BR come out and made a "rallying" statement after a disappointing result this season? Has any of those elicited the response he hoped for? Liverpool doesn't need an orator but someone who can identify good players in the transfer market and bring them in at a reasonable price.

  • Comment posted by User0159118732, at 00:50 16 Feb 2013

    BR has inherited more than his share of problems without adding to them by signing mediocre players like Allen. He's not impressed me once, likewise Borini. Too bad Sturridge is cup tied or we could have got a result in Russia. Tie not over yet but a long way back.c'mon you Pool

  • Comment posted by User0228448133, at 13:19 15 Feb 2013

    lfc never destroyed the champions

    they drew with a very below par champions, playing them at the best time they could have

    saints destroyed them and took 3 points - does that make the top 4 contenders?

  • Comment posted by Complete and utter horse, at 09:42 15 Feb 2013

    31.ScopeJack
    It's because McNulty is an unashamed Liverpool fan and he runs the BBC Football dept with an iron fist. No other teams matter, and Liverpool should be winning silverware every season without fail. The man's bias, and talent for writing utter drivel, knows quite literally no bounds.

  • Comment posted by Welling 4 Promotion, at 15:23 15 Feb 2013

    suarez. You really got angry with this 5 year question

    I was talking broad picture for example. Man City are investing massively and will be at top for a while. United keep re investing and see to be going nowhere. Chelsea are always spending and other than Torres usually well. And arsenal look the strongest going into the era of the FFP rules

    Just wondering where l'pool fitted in. No harm meant

  • Comment posted by YorkshireAnfieldfan, at 14:35 15 Feb 2013

    As a Liverpool fan of 38 years now, i'm very annoyed that we are having the form that we are. We have a great past (recent and not so recent), and i'm patient for seeing some good times returning. 9th place is and never will be good enough 6th or 5th aren't either. We will win nothing this season, Oldham, Albion, Zenit losses recently have dented my beliefs in BR

  • Comment posted by Weallfollowunited, at 11:58 15 Feb 2013

    #131
    So what does that tell you? That even when you play well you don't win?

    That's a bit worrying if you ask me.

  • Comment posted by User0456055706, at 03:57 16 Feb 2013

    So many pathetic anti-LFC trolls as usual on a LFC thread. Too many to enlighten but to the last boy/girl who commented @415.Fergie-the-genius:

    Why wouldn't you use capital letters when LFC is an acronym of Liverpool Football Club?

    Have you heard of 'basic grammar' or 'school' before?

    Oh I see; you're trying to be clever by attempting to 'belittle' LFC?

    Pathetic and pathetic some more.

  • Comment posted by Welling 4 Promotion, at 13:05 15 Feb 2013

    @199. GoFigure

    "These things count massive and can be leveraged to make LFC a successful club again" - I agree that they 'Can' be used but until they 'are' used and l'pool become successful then they are not massive.

    @201. derwaldmann2 - I am not desperate for them not to be massive - I am desperate for them not to be considered Massive unless they currently are massive. Which they are not.

  • Comment posted by McGaz, at 10:35 15 Feb 2013

    78. LFCfan128 Re: Stirling

    When he first came on the scene he was all action forward and back. He looked very dangerous when dribbling at opponents and was breaking through regularly.

    The last two months he's barely made an attempt per game to dribble past someone and suddenly looks very average.I hope his greatest asset (dribbling) is not being driven out of him - seems the English way!

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