The former Swansea manager selected an experimental line-up with Sunday's Premier League fixture against Manchester United at Anfield undoubtedly in mind. He handed debuts to new signing Assaidi, as well as Academy graduates Suso and Andre Wisdom. Meanwhile, second choice stopper Brad Jones replaced Pepe Reina between the sticks and Dani Pacheco started for the Reds for the first time in two years.
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| Rodgers' experimental starting eleven |
At the other end Young Boys tried to immediately respond, but Bobadilla's powerful drive went high and wide. Farnerud then dragged an effort wide from distance, but it was Liverpool who remained in the ascendancy and looked like extending their lead. The influential Assaidi went close on 24 minutes, shooting inches wide from the edge of the box.
The personnel may have been different, but the Reds' style of play remained the same, reflecting their manager's faith in his pass and move ideology. It seemed to be working well, as Rodgers' side showed impressive composure in keeping the ball for long spells and frustrating their Swiss opponents.
Talented 18-year old Suso almost doubled Liverpool's lead eight minutes before the break, as he excellently dribbled past several challenges and into the penalty area but, after the shooting angle narrowed, his cutback into the box just failed to find Pacheco and the danger was cleared. Unfortunately, soon after the visitors shot themselves in the foot with some terrible defending. Raphael Nuzzolo exploited a mix-up between Enrique and Jones, finishing into an open net to equalise for the home side.
Thankfully, though, the Merseysiders still went in at the interval ahead, as debutant Andre Wisdom rose brilliantly to head into the net from Sahin's left wing corner. Wisdom's excellent goal was the cherry on top of the cake that was his pleasing performance.
There was still time for Farnerud's rasping left-footed strike to clip the post on its way wide, as the end-to-end nature of what was an exciting game began to emerge. This continued in the second period, as Assaidi's shot whistled over the bar only a minute before Zarate cut in from the wing and sent another long-distance strike wide of Jones' goal.
Redemption came for Ojala, who had earlier converted past his own keeper, on 53 minutes when he directed a header past Jones and into the corner from Bobadilla's centre. Frustratingly, Young Boys went on to complete a remarkable comeback 10 minutes later, as the threatening Zarate produced an exquisite dink over the onrushing Jones. The defensively naive Suso had earlier been outsmarted by Bobadilla as the hosts counter-attack rapidly.
With lapses in concentration at the back clearly costing Liverpool dearly, the Reds had to rely on their ability to score more goals than their opponents if they were to claim the win. Considering their deficiencies in front of goal this season, victory therefore appeared an unlikely prospect. However, surprisingly they managed to net three times in the final 23 minutes to clinch a well deserved win.
Firstly, Coates nodded back into the far corner from a set piece and, although Borini may have got the slightest of touches, the Uruguyuan centre back was rightly given credit for the leveller. Borini then broke clear down the left and knocked the ball across to Henderson, who set up Shelvey to blast confidently past Wolfli. After Jones comfortably prevented Frey's header finding the back of the net, Shelvey's left-footed finish doubled his tally for the evening and secured a 5-3 victory for the visitors.
Talented 18-year old Suso almost doubled Liverpool's lead eight minutes before the break, as he excellently dribbled past several challenges and into the penalty area but, after the shooting angle narrowed, his cutback into the box just failed to find Pacheco and the danger was cleared. Unfortunately, soon after the visitors shot themselves in the foot with some terrible defending. Raphael Nuzzolo exploited a mix-up between Enrique and Jones, finishing into an open net to equalise for the home side.
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| Wisdom rose to head home the Reds' second goal |
There was still time for Farnerud's rasping left-footed strike to clip the post on its way wide, as the end-to-end nature of what was an exciting game began to emerge. This continued in the second period, as Assaidi's shot whistled over the bar only a minute before Zarate cut in from the wing and sent another long-distance strike wide of Jones' goal.
Redemption came for Ojala, who had earlier converted past his own keeper, on 53 minutes when he directed a header past Jones and into the corner from Bobadilla's centre. Frustratingly, Young Boys went on to complete a remarkable comeback 10 minutes later, as the threatening Zarate produced an exquisite dink over the onrushing Jones. The defensively naive Suso had earlier been outsmarted by Bobadilla as the hosts counter-attack rapidly.
With lapses in concentration at the back clearly costing Liverpool dearly, the Reds had to rely on their ability to score more goals than their opponents if they were to claim the win. Considering their deficiencies in front of goal this season, victory therefore appeared an unlikely prospect. However, surprisingly they managed to net three times in the final 23 minutes to clinch a well deserved win.
Firstly, Coates nodded back into the far corner from a set piece and, although Borini may have got the slightest of touches, the Uruguyuan centre back was rightly given credit for the leveller. Borini then broke clear down the left and knocked the ball across to Henderson, who set up Shelvey to blast confidently past Wolfli. After Jones comfortably prevented Frey's header finding the back of the net, Shelvey's left-footed finish doubled his tally for the evening and secured a 5-3 victory for the visitors.
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| Shelvey celebrates scoring twice |
It was the first time Liverpool have scored more than four in a European match since they posted a record Champions League victory in November 2007 with a 8-0 win over Besiktas. It was also a demonstration of the tremendous talent possessed by the Reds' youngsters. Shelvey has gone from strength-to-strength this season and looks a shoe-in to start versus United on Sunday, Suso displayed his creative brilliance and Wisdom netted on his debut. The only disappointment was the performance of Pacheco, who failed to make an impact up front.
With our Europa League campaign kicked off in exhilarating fashion, hopefully the momentum garnered from this goal-fest will carry on into our upcoming Premier League fixtures, starting against Manchester United on the weekend.
YNWA
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