The former Swansea boss picked a relatively strong starting line-up, as new signing Fabio Borini made his competitive debut up front while Jamie Carragher captained the side to commemorate his 700th Liverpool appearance despite regular skipper Steven Gerrard occupying a place in the centre of midfield next to Jay Spearing and Jordan Henderson. Meanwhile, Australian stopper Brad Jones started between the sticks.
The hosts started the match in the ascendancy and went on to dominate the opening 45 minutes, creating several inviting goal scoring opportunities that they thankfully squandered. Only two minutes in Igor Voronkov strode forward from deep and struck a dipping effort that grazed the roof of Jones' net, before Liavitski's shot hit Skrtel's legs. After Cole had to be replaced by Sterling on 22 minutes due to a slight hamstring strain, Gomel threatened again, as Platonov evaded Gerrard's challenge to cross into the danger area, where Voronkov headed wide when well-placed merely six yards out.For the rest of the half, Russian forward Alexander Alumona was the focal point of the home side's attack. The 28-year old only signed from the impossibly named FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk, where he netted 18 goals in 56 appearances, just over a week ago yet he must already have made a considerable impression on Gomel's supporters after harassing the Reds' back four last night.
First, he turned sharply and drilled over the bar, before Jones' palms were stung by his shot on the half hour mark. Another strike wide of the upright soon followed, before he struggled with Skrtel to reach a long ball forward, shrugging off the Slovakian but failing to slide the ball beyond the keeper from close range. Some lackadaisical defending by Skrtel and Johnson meant a typically impressive block from the magnificent Carragher was required to prevent Alumona tapping into the net five minutes before the break.
As planned, Glen Johnson only completed half of his 100th game for Liverpool as Martin Kelly replaced the England right back during the interval. Rodgers surely must have demanded more of his troops in the second half because the performance level throughout the first period was simply nowhere near good enough.
His message appeared to be ineffective, though, as Gomel began the second half where they left off. Soon after the break, a long ball forward allowed Platonov to spring the Reds' offside trap and bear down on Jones' goal. Fortunately the forward's touch was too heavy and the ball rolled harmlessly behind.
Liverpool enjoyed an even bigger let off on 65 minutes, when only an extraordinary moment of play kept the scoreline goalless. Kazeka's shot from distance hit the post and Alumona mis-kicked the rebound into the path of the unmarked Platonov, who somehow contrived to steer wide when it appeared easier to break the deadlock.
After Lucas Leiva replaced Henderson to encouragingly continue his recovery from injury, Stewart Downing made Gomel pay for their profligacy in front of goal. Collecting the ball outside the area, the former Villa winger hit a powerful effort into the bottom corner of the net.
That killer strike seemed to take the proverbial wind out of Gomel's sails and they were less of an attacking threat from that point on. Nevertheless, neither did the goal inspire a renaissance from the Reds in the closing stages, who remained frustratingly unable to seriously pressurise their weaker opponents for a prolonged period.In the end, Liverpool's extra quality told. Gomel were clearly the better side for the majority of the match but a touch of class from Stewart Downing for the Reds proved to be the difference. A much improved display at Anfield next Thursday is needed and expected.
YNWA
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