It wasn't the hammering many expected, as Liverpool produced a disciplined and spirited performance away at Real Madrid. It certainly provided some cause for optimism but ultimately the Reds still lost the game, although you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise given the gushing praise Brendan Rodgers lavished on his players and their performance afterwards.
Let's get it right: Liverpool were well beaten, and while the scoreline was respectable, to suggest they were unlucky not to get something from the game, as Rodgers did, is complete nonsense.
Madrid were well worthy of the win and Liverpool were in no way unlucky. In the context of where the Reds are right now, however, there was certainly nothing to be ashamed of, but come on, Brendan, pump the brakes on the praise, eh? At the end of the day it was still a loss and this is still Liverpool, not some League Two minnow putting up a valiant fight against a Premier League side in the FA Cup.
Of course the main talking point both before and after was the controversial team selection, and even Jose Mourinho took time out from criticising his own fans to question Liverpool's starting XI. Rodgers was quizzed by a reporter before kickoff and seemed perplexed.
"I'd be surprised if the fans are disappointed," he stated. "Most of these players played well against Swansea in the Capital One Cup." He had a straight face when he said it, too. I wouldn't want to play poker against Brendan, because "disappointment" didn't even begin to cover it. The reaction on social media and fans' forums, not to mention the barrage of text messages I received from friends, was more "raging fury" than disappointment. In fairness, by full-time many had completely changed their view.
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