Rodgers slams his under-performing Liverpool stars

OLDHAM: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers castigated his players after they crashed to a sensational defeat at third-tier Oldham in the FA Cup fourth round.

Rodgers named fringe players Brad Jones, Sebastian Coates, Jack Robinson and Jordan Henderson in his starting XI at Boundary Park and the plan backfired as the 18-time English champions were beaten 3-2 by League One Oldham.

Striker Matt Smith was the hosts’ match-winner on Sunday, scoring twice either side of a Luis Suarez goal for Liverpool to set Paul Dickov’s side en route to a famous victory.

Reece Wabara’s thumping header made it 3-1 after three minutes of the second half and Liverpool could not find a way back into the game despite Joe Allen pulling a goal back 11 minutes from time.

Liverpool became the fifth Premier League side to lose to a team from a lower level in this season’s fourth round and Rodgers pulled no punches in his assessment of his team’s failings.

“Matt Smith is a good player, but we have played against that type before,” he said.

“The FA Cup was a competition we wanted to have a go at and there is no excuse. We put out a strong team capable of winning the game, but we didn’t.

“You have to take it on the chin, but there has been plenty of warnings throughout the weekend – if your application is not right, you can get found out.”

Having handed opportunities to players desperate for playing time, Rodgers saidhe was frustrated to see them under-perform.

“We were coming here in good form and obviously we are bitterly disappointed,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I was bitterly disappointed with the young players as today (Sunday) they had a chance to show they can play for Liverpool and compete for a club that has to challenge for trophies.

“We lost our concentration, and only had spells in the last 35 minutes when we were at the right level. Congratulations to Oldham, though.”

Oldham, three-time semi-finalists, joined fellow third-tier side Milton Keynes Dons, Championship clubs Millwall and Leeds, and non-league Luton Town in claiming a famous Premier League scalp this weekend.

However, manager Dickov still appears set to lose his job after chairman Simon Corney effectively admitted he had decided to dispense with his services after a run of seven defeats and one draw in eight League One games.

Dickov began his playing career at Arsenal and played for Manchester City, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers, among other clubs, as well as representing Scotland at international level.

However, he said Sunday’s result was the pinnacle.

“I was a lucky boy to have the playing career I had, but this is the top moment,” he said. — AFP