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Liverpool on track, claims Rodgers
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LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers felt his players demonstrated the character necessary to revitalize their challenge for a top-four Premier League finish in their last-gasp 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
After Philippe Coutinho’s opener was swiftly cancelled out by Mathieu Debuchy in first-half stoppage time at Anfield on Sunday, Olivier Giroud struck in the 64th minute to set Arsenal up for an opportunistic victory.
But having earlier required treatment for a head wound inflicted by Giroud that left him with a bandaged head and led to nine minutes of injury time, Martin Skrtel claimed an equalizer with an emphatic 97th-minute header in front of the Kop.
The point was the least Liverpool deserved after restricting Arsenal to a 36 percent share of possession — the Gunners worst performance in that domain since passing statistics began to be compiled in 2003.
And although Liverpool trail leader Chelsea by 17 points and lies nine points adrift of the Champions League places, Rodgers is convinced that last season’s runners-up are on the right track.
Asked if Liverpool could sustain a challenge for a top-four finish, he told reporters: “Yes, absolutely. It was always going to be a big challenge. Of course we’ve got to make up points over the next part of the season, but we have shown this is a group that can go on a run-of games (wins).
“In the second half of last season we went on a run of 11 games and if we can put a run of games together, that can very quickly move you up.
“The most important thing is the confidence and the ability in the team. You bring (injured striker Daniel) Sturridge back in January, then you get back to being that team we have been in the last few years.
“There’s a bit of work to do, but at least we’re moving in the right direction again, which is what we want.”
He also paid tribute to Slovakian center-back Skrtel, who stayed on to score the equalizer despite having been left with an ugly gash on the back of his head after Giroud unintentionally caught him with his studs.
“He’s a real warrior, Martin,” said the Northern Irishman, whose side registered 27 attempts on goal. “He showed great character and determination to stay on.”
In Italy, Lazio squandered a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 at Inter Milan but will spend the winter break in third spot in Serie A after Sampdoria and Genoa also failed to win on Sunday.
Lazio moved above Napoli on goal difference. Sampdoria was also on 27 points after it was held to a 2-2 draw at home to Udinese in the final round of Serie A fixtures in 2014.
Earlier, Chievo Verona beat city rival Hellas Verona 1-0 in a heated derby match.
Also, Fiorentina was held to a 1-1 draw by Empoli, while Atalanta fought back from two goals down to draw 3-3 at home to Palermo.
In Spain, France forward Antoine Griezmann netted a second-half hat-trick to help Atletico Madrid roar back for a 4-1 win at Athletic Bilbao, as Diego Simeone’s side pulled within four points of the lead in the Spanish league.
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