Liverpool new boys pleased Rodgers on debut

After a mixed bag of a match on Monday night at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers has expressed his happiness with his new boys debuts.

The home side fielded the same side as the opening weekend, with Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez, James Milner and Christian Benteke all retaining their places, and Rodgers was pleased with each player’s contributions on the night.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Rodgers said: “I thought they did well.

“I thought James Milner was outstanding, Nathaniel Clyne you can see is such a good defender and wants to get forward and the young boy, Joe Gomez, at 18 years of age this is a big step up for him, but he’s coping very well.

“Benteke will be disappointed he didn’t get two goals, but he got off the mark and his all-round play was excellent.

“[Roberto] Firmino came on and worked hard – and he knows he’s adjusting to the Premier League and that his fitness and game will get better.”

With six points from six games and a goal from his new striker, Rodgers can head into Sunday’s game against Arsenal in the knowledge that, in terms of results at least, things are going in the right direction where the new boys are concerned.

However, the first two games have shown some of the same problems still linger from last season. That said, the likelihood of bedding four or five new players into a starting line-up from the first game of the season and achieving maximum points is rare. So we can only head to the Emirates with optimism that the new – and old – boys were start to show more of what they’re actually capable of in the coming weeks, starting on Monday night.

Have you been pleased with what you be seen of the new players so far? Let us know your thoughts below.