Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that the injury sustained by Philippe Coutinho during his side’s 2-2 draw at Swansea City on Monday evening ‘disrupted the flow’ of his side, as the hosts hit back to claim a share of points.
The Reds were 2-1 ahead early in the second half thanks to goals from Daniel Sturridge and Victor Moses, before Coutinho was forced off with a shoulder problem, shortly after receiving treatment for being brought down by Swansea captain Ashley Williams.
Just 10 minutes later, Michael Laudrup’s side levelled through Miguel Michu, with the home side going on to dominate the closing stages, and ex-Swans boss Rodgers sees Coutinho’s withdrawal as the game’s pivotal moment.
He told Sky Sports:“It was a very good game to watch on TV. I thought the assessment was simple. In the first 65 minutes, we were very good, both with and without the ball, and we looked really in control for that first 25 minutes. We showed great character to come from behind so early on in the game, but probably young Coutinho going off disrupted the flow of our game.
“Then they get the second goal, which we can defend better on, and the last 20, 25 minutes, they’ve got the momentum, and we had to show resilience and character.”
The draw ended Liverpool’s 100% start to the new season, but the point was enough to send them back to the top of the Premier League, ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, who had overtaken them after winning at the weekend.
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