LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits that this season has been, but refuses to make excuses for his team’s 6-1 thrashing at Stoke City on Sunday.
The Reds conceded five-goals in the first half at the Britannia Stadium – the first time Liverpool were giving so many goals in a half in the Premier League – and it wasn’t received well by the supporters and several former players.
“We made too many mistakes defensively and individually. We were beaten too easily and were not competitive enough,” he said. “We were very, very poor in that first half.”
He added: “It was always going to be a big job in the summer and today’s result would certainly ratify that.
“We understand the job ahead and we will be much better than today going forward.
“We have got to be much better than we have been for the last six or eight weeks. We will work tirelessly to look to put on a better show next season.”
Retired Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher slammed the performance from his former team – calling it an “embarrassing day for all connected with” the club.
“Embarrassing day for all connected with Lfc 6-1 is not acceptable,” Carragher tweeted. “Not seen anything but my son left at half time so it must’ve been bad!!
Sad sending off for Steven Gerrard.
It was only last summer Rodgers signed a new long-term contract to keep him at the club, but there are already reports claiming that he could be sacked.
“I have always said if the owners want me to go I will go. But I still feel I have a lot of offer here. There is a lot that’s happened there this year that has made the job tough,” he said.
“Performances like today don’t help me and I’m fully aware of that.”
Carragher continued on his Facebook account: “I haven’t seen any of the action but when hearing the score come through in the studio today after the first 45 mins there was a look of disbelief from all around.”
He went on to say: “After today though it’s evident for all to see there is problems at both ends of the field that will hopefully be rectified in some way this summer.
“The only consolation was Stevie Gerrard getting a goal in his last game but he will not have wanted to go out like that especially after last weeks result against Crystal Palace.”
