Liverpool crashed out of the Europa League against Besiktas on Thursday evening. We round-up the social media reaction on a deeply disappointing evening for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
It was an extremely poor night at the office on the whole, and the Reds’ performance simply got worse and worse the more the game went on.
They were dominant in the opening 45 minutes, despite not creating a huge amount, but after the break Besiktas were far superior. They worked harder, passed better and deservedly prevailed 5-4 on penalties.
Depressing times. pic.twitter.com/n7Wkz1zCJ4
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) February 26, 2015
There were not too many Liverpool players who could leave the pitch with their heads held high, and the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling put in woeful performances well short of their best.
The defeat means Rodgers and his side now have the Premier League and FA Cup to concentrate on, and after 120 gruelling minutes of action in Turkey, Sunday’s clash with Manchester City at Anfield could be a tough afternoon’s work.
Here is how fans and journalists reacted to the Besiktas defeat on social media:
Gutted at that. Out of the CL at the first hurdle. Out of the consolation prize at the first hurdle.
They were there for the taking too.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) February 26, 2015
"Where was Sterling?" is another question that keeps cropping up. Then again, it has all night.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) February 26, 2015
Penalties are a lottery and to be avoided. Kudos to @DejanLovrenLFC6 for having the balls to step up.
— ?? ?????? (@elscouse) February 26, 2015
Perhaps rather than blaming a single individual, it might be worth noting the paucity of performance across most of the #lfc team tonight.
— Dave Phillips (@lovefutebol) February 26, 2015
‘Lucas’ on the forums:
Chasing shadows all night. Looked absolutely knackered and I dread to think the state we’ll be in for City as we fly back at 4 in the morning and kick off at midday Sunday. Absolutely disastrous.
The lad doesn't need that pressure after the season he has had, fair play to Lovren for stepping up but rodgers have a chat with yourself
— GP (@GPywell) February 26, 2015
So if it's penalties in the Ataturk Stadium, doesn't an ambulance have to drive around the running track while the shootout is taking place?
— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) February 26, 2015
Yes it was a terrible penalty but why wasn't Sterling, as a forward, not putting himself forward for that penalty. Unforgivable!
— Dan Holland (@danhollandlfc) February 26, 2015
He had little in the way of support but that was probably the worst I've seen Daniel Sturridge play. No pace or conviction to his game.
— Aaron Cutler (@aaron_cutler) February 26, 2015
‘RedLaw’ on the forums:
So with a penalty shootout a real possibility Rodgers decided to take off Balotelli. Then he actually allowed Dejan Lovren to take the vital fifth penalty. One or two (we know who they are) will go into meltdown for the criticism towards Rodgers tonight, but it’s well justified. Bad decisions from the manager really did cost us. Gutted.
https://twitter.com/M_Sweeting/status/571048564136255488
Hoping for some fresher legs on Sunday. Henderson, Coutinho, Sakho and perhaps Gerrard back. Upfront, everyone's knackered.
— LFCZA ?? (@LFCZA) February 26, 2015
Well that was what you’d expect if you let an out of form centre-back take a penalty. And now a knackered squad for Sunday.
— Paul Tomkins (@paul_tomkins) February 26, 2015
We weren't clinical enough in the 1st half when we could've got the away goal. After HT we didn't look in good enough condition to threaten
— Dan Kennett (@DanKennett) February 26, 2015
‘craigbellamy’ on the forums:
The opponents wanted it more and we deserved nothing. Poor all around, no pressing from us and midfield was lost. The worse player was Sterling and as for Lovren? At least he had the balls to step up and take a penalty. Remember Messi last night, we’re all human.
And Sturridge is still miles away from being match fit. At this rate it will probably be next season before he's really sharp again
— Dan Kennett (@DanKennett) February 26, 2015
Rodgers' Euro record (excluding qualifiers): W6 D3 L7 F20 A22
I'm a Rodgers fan, but that's a ropey record.— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) February 26, 2015
Let us know your thoughts on the game in the comments below.
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