Sunday, 21st December, 2014



Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has accused Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez of diving to win a free-kick in the build-up to the Gunners' second goal against the Reds in a 2-2 draw today at Anfield.

Liverpool bossed the opening exchanges and enjoyed chances, but could not take them, despite outplaying Arsenal.




The goal came in the 45th minute though, when Philippe Coutinho drilled the ball home.

 


But Arsenal quickly equalised in first half stoppage time through a Mathieu Debuchy header and then the visitors took the lead when Olivier Giroud struck in the 64th minute.

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Liverpool continued to enjoy the best of the chances and bossed the game, but lacked a vital cutting edge which was not remedied by Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini being brought on.

But a blow was suffered when Borini was sent off in injury time. It did not though derail Liverpool's comeback and Martin Skrtel headed home from a corner to make it 2-2.

Rodgers was delighted with his side's performance, but pointed his finger at Sanchez as diving to help Arsenal claim their second goal.

"It was an outstanding performance, our passing and movement on the pitch, which is terrible, was superb", he told Sky Sports.

"We deserved to be one up at half-time and I don't think it was a free-kick in the build-up to their second.

"Alexis Sanchez dived for me and the referee bought it, but we have to defend better.

"We lost three duels and we need to win the first one", Rodgers added.

The Liverpool boss also believes his side are moving in the right direction.

"I'm delighted with our performances this week against Manchester United, Bournemouth and Arsenal, it shows we are getting back to where we were.

"At half-time we asked for more of the same with the same movement and then we showed great character to fight back from 2-1 down with ten men.

"I don't think before this week we have been close to that level of speed and thought. You have to be creative as a coach to find a system that brings you back to that."

 


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