Bordeaux 1-1 Liverpool: Adam Lallana opens scoring with vintage solo goal but substitute Jussie spoils Brendan Rodgers' night
- Adam Lallana picked the ball up on the edge of the box before dribbling past Pablo and confidently firing home
- Substitute Jussie pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired home beyond Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal
- Belgium striker Divock Origi made the first start of his Liverpool career but the forward was ineffective in attack
- Emre Can, Mignolet and Joe Gomez kept their place in the team following the defeat by Manchester United
There were no smiles or fist pumping celebrations. The reaction in the away end was muted and the manager, after exchanging a few cursory handshakes, swiftly disappeared down the tunnel.
Happiness was not the overriding emotion for Brendan Rodgers or Liverpool’s players but there was, without question, a sense of relief; this 1-1 draw will not feature anywhere on the list of the club’s best European results but at least it afforded the manager some respite.
It could have been more. Adam Lallana’s brilliant goal should have been enough but they were unable to withstand a late flurry and paid the price in the final 10 minutes when Bordeaux substitute Jussie swept in an equaliser to leave Rodgers rubbing his head in frustration.
Adam Lallana picked the ball up on the edge of the box from Alberto Moreno before dribbling past Pablo and confidently firing home
Former Southampton star Lallana celebrates what he thought was the winner in their group stage clash in Bordeaux
The England international is mobbed by his Liverpool team-mates after opening the scoring in Thursday's Europa League clash
Bordeaux substitute Jussie picked up the loose ball in the box and fired home beyond Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal
Bordeaux's Jussie (left) celebrates his goal against Premier League giants Liverpool with his team-mate Diego Rolan
The home side were on the brink of losing their Europa League clash before Jussie came to their rescue with a confident finish
Yet, after those ruinous days against West Ham and Manchester United, it was not another backward step; a point leaves them in charge of their destiny in Group B, even if there little sense of contentment.
‘It’s always tough away in Europe,’ said Rodgers. ‘I was disappointed with conceding a goal so late on but if you can’t win, then it’s important you get a point and I felt we deserved at least that. I was satisfied with the performance, particularly with so many of the young ones.’
With such names as Christian Benteke, Daniel Sturridge and Martin Skrtel back on Merseyside along with injured captain Jordan Henderson, it was easy to come to the conclusion that Rodgers had sent out a team that down to the bares bones.
When you looked at the team sheet, though, the starting line-up cost almost £100million and the substitutes’ bench had a £29million Brazil international sitting on it – there are teams in the Barclays Premier League that would move heaven and earth to be able to spend such money on their squads.
Aside from making several changes, the system was also rejigged and Liverpool reverted back to the 3-4-3 formation he deployed in the second half of last season. They were better for it, with captain for the night Mamadou Sakho – “immense,” Rodgers called him – catching the eye.
Even when Kolo Toure went off injured following a collision with Simon Mignolet, Liverpool were comfortable, so much so that the untried Pedro Chirivella – an 18-year-old Spanish midfielder – was able to slot alongside Jordan Rossiter without much trouble.
‘I was so proud of them,’ said Rodgers. ‘As the game went on they did better and better, so it was invaluable experience. They acquitted themselves well. I will always give kids a chance if they have personality.’
It must be said, though, that Bordeaux were, for all their enthusiasm, limited. Bar a couple of half chances in the first 45 minutes, they lacked invention and Liverpool, for all their tentativeness, came closest to opening the scoring when Philippe Coutinho struck a post.
The Liverpool squad look dejected after conceding a late equaliser against French side Bordeaux on Thursday evening
Liverpool midfielder Lallana (left) challenges Bordeaux's Nicolas Maurice-Belay (right) during their Europa League clash
Jordon Ibe (left) was handed a start by Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool forward looks to impress as he puts pressure on Maxime Poundje
Philippe Coutinho (centre), who missed his side's defeat by Manchester United through suspension, controls the ball under pressure
England international Lallana times his challenge well as he looks to put the pressure on Maurice-Belay of Bordeaux
Kolo Toure (right) returned to the starting line-up after Rodgers rested first-choice centre-backs Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren
They began the second half with purpose, however, and took the lead when Lallana nut-megged Brazilian defender Pablo before rifling a shot past Cedric Carrasso. It was an exquisite moment, one that was not within keeping with the standard of the game.
That really should have been enough but Liverpool began to drop deep and in the 81st minute Juisse pounced on a loose ball to equalise. A side with more class would have inflicted greater damage but, on this occasion, they were able to grind it out.
‘I said to the players that in European football a point is never bad,’ Rodgers revealed. ‘I want to win them all but your home games mean a lot. We won the group last time (in 2012) with 10 points, so this was encouraging.’
Our fantastic MATCH ZONE shows Adam Lallana's fine solo goal in the second half- click here for more Europa League analysis
However, the Liverpool defender was unable to shake off an injury he picked up in the first half and he was replaced by Pedro Chirivella
Bordeaux midfielder Wahbi Khazri urges his team on during their Europa League clash against their Premier League oppenents
Emre Can (left), who was one of three players to keep their place following the United defeat, is challenged by Clement Chantome
Liverpool's stand-in captain Mamadou Sakho competes for the ball with Diego Rolan as his side bid to begin their campaign with a win
Liverpool boss Rodgers made eight changes to the team who lost to rivals United but watched his team struggle to create many attacks
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