Brendan Rodgers Praises Mamadou Sakho, Liverpool Youngsters After Bordeaux Draw

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers praised the contributions on centre-back Mamadou Sakho and some of the youngsters following the Reds' 1-1 draw against Bordeaux in their first UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday.

Rodgers rested a number of key players, but his Liverpool still made a solid impression at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, France, with Jussie cancelling out Adam Lallana's opener.

Jordan Rossiter and Pedro Chirivella held their own in midfield, and Sakho did an excellent job leading the defence. Per Rodgers, he could be in line for more consistent playing time, as reported by the Daily Telegraph's Chris Bascombe:

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Sakho was outstanding. He knows he’s had to be patient but his attitude has been first class. He has trained very well, kept very professional and he got his rewards so he comes into the reckoning.

[…] I am so proud of the youngsters. I will always give youngsters a chance – do you let them out on loan or put them under that pressure. Jordan and Pedro did better as the game went on.

"

Sakho took control of the Reds' defence from the opening kick-off, tasked with leading the three-man back line against Bordeaux's speedy attackers. While there were some struggles initially, Liverpool regained control throughout the match, and the side seemed to be on their way to a clean sheet.

One moment of hesitation saw Liverpool's lead evaporate with 10 minutes left to play, however, as young defender Joe Gomez failed to close down Enzo Crivelli, allowing the striker to juggle the ball before playing it to Jussie, who smashed home the equaliser.

The Reds struggled containing Bordeaux's strikers until Kolo Toure was forced to leave the pitch with an injury, with Emre Can adding some pace to a back line that was being exposed on balls over the top. The Frenchmen didn't muster many chances after that, although Liverpool hardly created a ton of room themselves.

Romain Perrocheau/Getty Images

Philippe Coutinho hit the post with a great strike from distance and Lallana broke the deadlock with a great solo effort, cutting inside before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso.

All in all, it was a solid performance from the Reds, who clearly didn't prioritise Thursday's match, given the absence of a number of regular starters. Michael Owen thought it was a decent result and praised Rodgers' decision to field some of the youngsters:

Rossiter in particular looked very strong until he was forced to leave the pitch due to cramp, and Chirivella did well to find his feet quickly after he had to come on for Toure.

Creativity remains an issue for Liverpool, however, and once again, their only goal of the match was the result of a moment of individual brilliance and not a team move.

The Reds have been too dependent on Coutinho so far in the 2015-16 campaign, and without Christian Benteke there to weigh on the Bordeaux defence, the hosts didn't have a hard time containing the Reds on Thursday.

Grabbing a point at Bordeaux isn't a bad result by any stretch, and with Group B leaders Sion traveling to Anfield on Matchday 2, the Reds should be able to make a play for the top spot.

The Swiss minnows beat Rubin Kazan 2-1 but don't look nearly as strong as Bordeaux, and after one match, Liverpool's ticket to the knockout stages of the Europa League still looks relatively secure.

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