Fans round on Rodgers after third defeat in row

LIVERPOOL supporters jeered Brendan Rodgers as his miserable week ended with a third defeat on the trot.

Yesterday’s 2-1 loss against Chelsea came on the back of defeats by Newcastle and then Real Madrid.

Liverpool are 15 points behind Chelsea and seemingly out of the title race. To make matters worse, sections of the crowd briefly turned on Rodgers when he took off Coutinho.

‘I didn’t think we were creating enough so I made the change,’ said the manager. ‘But the fans are a big part of this, here. They are frustrated and I understand that. They’ve given us great support and we’re going through a difficult period.’

A deflected strike by Emre Can put Liverpool ahead before Gary Cahill scored an equaliser, given after new technology was used to prove his shot had crossed the line.

Jose Mourinho’s team won it in the second half through Diego Costa (right) but Liverpool were denied a penalty when referee Anthony Taylor failed to spot that Cahill had handled.

Rodgers said: ‘The technology has been great. You see the replay for the goal and it was over the line.

‘But it’s bitterly disappointing that there was a big decision in a big game and we didn’t get it. He [the ref] had a clear look at it. Maybe he needed help from his linesman.

‘We’re not getting the rub of the green. It was a clear penalty and we should have got it.’

Mourinho’s team are unbeaten and top of the table but the Chelsea boss does not think his side will remain unbeaten. ‘No chance,’ he said. ‘But it’s possible to be champions.’