Jordan Henderson admits he found the way Liverpool reacted to Mohamed Salah scoring against Aston Villa on Saturday ‘disappointing’, via quotes by BBC Sport (11/12, 17:28).
Salah broke the deadlock from the penalty spot to put the Reds ahead in the 67th-minute against Steven Gerrard’s side. The Egyptian has scored 14 in the Premier League this term.
Aston Villa sought to make things difficult for Liverpool on Gerrard’s first return to Anfield as an opposition manager. The Birmingham outfit mostly achieved their goal, but Tyrone Mings gave the Reds the all-important penalty after tangling with Salah.
The result moved Liverpool back within a point of league leaders Manchester City, who had beaten Wolves earlier on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s side also won 1-0 after a penalty kick.
Liverpool reaction to Salah goal disappointed Henderson vs Aston Villa
But the manner in which Liverpool responded to Salah breaking the deadlock against Aston Villa disappointed Henderson. The Reds captain felt his side let their guests off the hook in the aftermath of the Egyptian’s strike, when they ought to have put their foot on the gas.
“It was difficult,” Henderson said. “The way we responded after scoring was disappointing. I thought we sat back a bit too much.
“After going in front, it’s important to win the ball back and not let balls come into the box. We could have scored one or two more goals with the chances we created. But overall, we’ve got to be happy with the performance and the result.
“The games are coming thick and fast. Thankfully, it’s the same for everyone in this period. Hopefully, we keep it going with good performances and results.”
Ings almost punished Liverpool for slack response
Danny Ings almost punished Liverpool for their slack response to Salah’s penalty by giving Aston Villa a late equaliser. The former Reds striker came off the bench and looked set to capitalise on a mix-up between Alisson and Joel Matip, but could not convert the chance.
Matip wanted Alisson to collect the ball under pressure from Ings, yet the goalkeeper’s clearance struck the centre-half. Alisson then scrambled to beat Ings to the ball, but he caught the forward’s leg. However, referee Stewart Atwell would deny him the penalty.
Had Atwell given Southampton a penalty, £20m star Henderson would not have had much reason to be happy with Liverpool’s performance, having potentially dropped two-points.
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