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Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson defends decision to rest stars for Trabzonspor tie
Praise also handed out to Pepe Reina...
20 Aug 2010 15:59:00
By Matt Monaghan
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has defended his decision to rest his star men for the Europa League play-off, first leg against Trabzonspor.
The ex-Fulham supremo didn't start Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel for the 1-0 win. After having a goal disallowed and penalty missed from Joe Cole, the Reds now travel Turkey with only a slim lead.
Speaking after the win, Hodgson insisted he had no choice but to rest his tired players.
He said: "I think it was important to rest them.
"All of them played for international teams last Wednesday, then they had to play Arsenal in a very intensive game.
"With another important game last night and another on Monday, I think it was important we rotated the players.
"Fortunately the players I chose did not let the club down and did a good job.
"Whether the margin of victory will be enough, only next Thursday will tell."
Liverpool would have registered a worse result if it hadn't been for goalkeeper Pepe Reina after his stunning save from Umut Bulut. In the aftermath of the Spaniard's crucial mistake in the stalemate with the Gunners, Hodgson took the opportunity to heap praise on him.
He added: "We thought it was offside but it wasn't signalled and was a clear goal chance.
"It was probably the one clear chance they had in the game and Pepe produced an outstanding save.
"It is nice to know that he has been able to put Sunday's mistake behind him quickly and once again produce an important save.
"We can thank him for that and we still have a clean sheet to take to Trabzonspor."
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The ex-Fulham supremo didn't start Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel for the 1-0 win. After having a goal disallowed and penalty missed from Joe Cole, the Reds now travel Turkey with only a slim lead.
Speaking after the win, Hodgson insisted he had no choice but to rest his tired players.
He said: "I think it was important to rest them.
"All of them played for international teams last Wednesday, then they had to play Arsenal in a very intensive game.
"With another important game last night and another on Monday, I think it was important we rotated the players.
"Fortunately the players I chose did not let the club down and did a good job.
"Whether the margin of victory will be enough, only next Thursday will tell."
Liverpool would have registered a worse result if it hadn't been for goalkeeper Pepe Reina after his stunning save from Umut Bulut. In the aftermath of the Spaniard's crucial mistake in the stalemate with the Gunners, Hodgson took the opportunity to heap praise on him.
He added: "We thought it was offside but it wasn't signalled and was a clear goal chance.
"It was probably the one clear chance they had in the game and Pepe produced an outstanding save.
"It is nice to know that he has been able to put Sunday's mistake behind him quickly and once again produce an important save.
"We can thank him for that and we still have a clean sheet to take to Trabzonspor."
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