Brendan Rodgers encouraged by his young players after watching Liverpool battle to a draw against French side Bordeaux

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Brendan Rodgers hailed impact of Liverpool’s young players in Bordeaux
He was impressed with Joe Gomez, Jordan Rossiter and Pedro Chirivella
Adam Lallana’s superb opener was cancelled out by striker Ferreira Jussie
Rodgers' hopes to see more of the individual brilliance shown by Lallana

Published: 16:54 EST, 17 September 2015 | Updated: 06:47 EST, 18 September 2015

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Brendan Rodgers hailed the impact of Liverpool’s young players as his side began their Europa League campaign with a satisfactory draw in Bordeaux.

Though this was a largely uneventful game, the performances of Joe Gomez, Jordan Rossiter and substitute Pedro Chirivella were lauded by Liverpool’s manager, who saw Adam Lallana’s superb opener cancelled out by Brazilian striker Ferreira Jussie.

Rossiter has been given a couple of chances by Rodgers over the last 12 months but this was his most measured display while Chirivella, an 18-year-old Spaniard who is based at the club’s academy, overcame some early nerves after replacing Kolo Toure to play his part.

Brendan Rodgers hailed the impact of Liverpool’s young players following their 1-1 draw with Bordeaux

Joe Gomez (right) looked assured in a back three and Rodgers was quick to praise his young defender

Gomez, meanwhile, looked assured in a back three and Rodgers was quick to praise the way they handled what he felt was a difficult atmosphere to help Liverpool halt the negativity that had followed defeats to West Ham and Manchester United.

‘I am so proud of the young ones tonight,’ said Rodgers. ‘I will always give young ones a chance if they show that personality. Do you let them go out on loan or put them under that pressure of playing?

‘For Jordan Rossiter and young Pedro to go in and play like that…. as the game went on they did better, so it was invaluable experience and they acquitted themselves well. Jordan got cramp late on and then Cameron Brannagan came on and slotted in.

‘Jordon Ibe is only 19, young Joe Gomez is 18 and you took great encouragement when you see the type of performance they played. You are obviously disappointed by conceding late on but I am more satisfied with the performance with so many young ones in the team.’

Rodgers shows his appreciation towards young midfielder Jordan Rossiter after his impressive performance

Rodgers was also keen to recognise the contribution of his captain Mamadou Sakho. The France international has put himself in line for a first Barclays Premier League start of the campaign against Norwich after a solid display.

‘Sakho was outstanding,’ said Rodgers. ‘He knows he’s had to be patient but his attitude has been first class. He has trained very well, kept very professional and you saw tonight he got his reward for it so (for Sunday) he comes into the reckoning.’

Pedro Chirivella, an 18-year-old Spaniard, overcame early nerves after replacing Kolo Toure to play his part

Rodgers was also keen to recognise the contribution of his Liverpool captain Mamadou Sakho (right)

Lallana’s goal was the moment of the game and Rodgers wants to see more of that from the England international in the coming months to show why Liverpool paid £25million for him in June 2014.

‘It was an outstanding goal, that touch and creativity we haven’t seen so much,’ said Rodgers. ‘Danny Ings was unfortunate as well (with a chance late on). I thought the senior players were immense. It was a real good combination and we will look for more in the coming weeks.’