Brendan Rodgers encouraged by battling Liverpool
Raheem Sterling scores winner at Burnley to end a three-game winless run and keep opponents in relegation zone
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes his side proved they have the guts to rescue their spluttering season after grinding out a 1-0 win over Burnley.
After a miserable run which included their exit from the Champions League, Rodgers’ side have now lost once in their last nine games in all competitions.
Their victory at Turf Moor on Friday was their first win in four Premier League games and the result, secured by a Raheem Sterling’s well-taken goal in the 62nd-minute, lifted Liverpool to ninth place.
In terms of our character and resilience, we showed outstanding qualities when needed
Rodgers believes a top-four finish is still a possibility and with a home game to come against Swansea on Monday ahead of a trip to bottom club Leicester on New Year’s Day, the Reds will be confident of adding to their points tally over the festive period.
They may well have to play better than they did against a Burnley side unfortunate to lose for the first time in five home games after dominating the first half.
But Rodgers believes the manner of the performance bodes well for his team.
“I was really pleased with that. We had to show a different side to us, different types of qualities to what we showed against Arsenal and Bournemouth.