Soccer

Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool denied a ‘clear penalty’ against Chelsea

Manager claims his team deserved something after performance at Anfield

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on the sidelines of the Premier League game at Anfield. Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on the sidelines of the Premier League game at Anfield. Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA
Sat Nov 08 2014 - 15:43

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was disappointed his side were not given what he described as a "clear penalty" in their 2-1 Premier League defeat against Chelsea at Anfield.

The Reds took a ninth-minute lead through Emre Can's deflected effort before Gary Cahill levelled five minutes later. Diego Costa's 67th-minute strike sealed victory as the Spain international scored his 10th goal in just his 12th game for the Blues.

However it was the non-award of the penalty by referee Anthony Taylor which was the main talking point, after a shot from Steven Gerrard hit the arm of Cahill in the area late on.

“It was a clear one,” Rodgers told BT Sport 1. “We worked so hard in the game, we need those decisions. It was quite obvious, it hits his hand, it was a clear, clear penalty and the referee has a clear view of it. The players gave everything and we deserved at least a point.”

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It was Liverpool's fifth league defeat of the season and Rodgers, who has now not beaten Chelsea in eight attempts, is hoping the return of Daniel Sturridge will be the catalyst to kick-start their season.

“We have got to keep working hard,” Rodgers added. “We are hoping Daniel will be back after the international break.

“We understand the frustrations (of the fans), the players, myself and the staff, we have a lot of work to do.”

The win saw Chelsea go 15 points clear of the Reds and captain John Terry is hopeful their form, which has seen them go seven clear of second-placed Southampton, continues.

“We have seen that everyone has beaten everyone,” he said. “We have had a good run, hopefully we can come back from the international break and continue our form.

“We are proving hard to beat and long may that continue.”

Terry conceded that Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty late on, saying "We have had some not go our way, it evens itself out", but for his manager Jose Mourinho, his side's performance was worth the headlines.

“Too far (away) for me (to tell), I don’t know, but the victory is very much deserved,” he said.

“I know that some people say that Liverpool didn’t play so well, I would disagree, they tried everything, but Chelsea were the best team.”