Brendan Rodgers hails ‘vital’ win for Liverpool ahead of international break

Adam Lallana is congratulated by teammate Philippe Coutinho after scoring in Liverpool's 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on October 4, 2014. Clive Brunskill / Getty Images

LIVERPOOL 2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1

Liverpool - Lallana 45', Henderson 61' West Bromwich Albion - Berahino (pen) 56'

Man of the match - Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

LIVERPOOL // Brendan Rodgers said the win was all that mattered as his Liverpool side squeezed past West Brom 2-1 to register a much-needed first victory in four English Premier League matches.

Having gone ahead through Adam Lallana’s maiden goal for the club on the stroke of half-time, a disputed Saido Berahino penalty – Dejan Lovren’s foul appeared to be outside the area – pegged back Liverpool.

It was Jordan Henderson’s goal on the hour, after Liverpool had claims for their own spot kick turned down in the build-up, that secured three points.

“The behaviours in this group are very honest and they are full of character and that gives me hope as a manager,” Rodgers said.

“As we work more together the quality of our game will improve and the performance will improve, but you have to find a way to win and today we did that. That was against a team coming in with good confidence having won 4-0 last week.

“They keep clean sheets, they are difficult to beat and we found a way to break through that resistance and win. It was vital for us before the international break.”

Rodgers was annoyed with the penalty decision and even West Brom manager Alan Irvine found it difficult to agree with referee Michael Oliver’s assertion the foul had been committed inside the area.

“It was never a penalty,” Rodgers said. “Thankfully we went on and maybe had a penalty ourselves but luckily for Michael we scored.”

Irvine’s take on the spot-kick was similar. “I was looking to see if [the referee] was going to give a free kick on the edge of the box or give a penalty and I was delighted he gave a penalty but I really wasn’t sure.”

Rodgers dropped Mario Balotelli to the bench after one goal in seven matches since his move from AC Milan. Asked how the Italy international, who came on as a second-half substitute, took the news, Rodgers said: “I’m not sure. He accepts what the position is.”

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