Rodgers slams ´harsh´ decisions

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers bemoaned ‘very, very harsh’ refereeing decisions after his team’s 3-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion.

Zoltan Gera, Peter Odemwingie and Romelu Lukaku were on the scoresheet as Steve Clarke’s men cruised to a comfortable win at the Hawthorns on the opening day of the English Premier League season.

Odemwingie’s goal came from the penalty spot after Shane Long had earlier had his spot-kick saved by Pepe Reina and Daniel Agger was sent off for Liverpool.

Rodgers said the decisions made by referee Phil Dowd were harsh on his team.

“I thought we had a couple of decisions that were harsh on us,” Rodgers told Sky Sports.

“After the first five or 10 minutes we got good control of the game and got into a good rhythm, (we) created a couple of chances and looked like we just were ready to break the deadlock at any time.

“We then concede a corner and to be fair to Gera it’s wonderful technique. There’s not much you can say. Martin Skrtel’s got a good header on it, Glen Johnson went to press the ball but it’s wonderful technique and a great finish.

“From being largely in control of the first half we went in 1-0 behind. We made a good start to the second half, but then we had a couple of decisions go against us.

“But we’re not going to get everything our way, we’ve got to accept it. Pepe made a great save from one of the penalties. When you see the close ups of the sending off and penalties they’re very, very harsh.”

Clarke began his West Brom career with an excellent win and in his delight he hinted his side could have added even more.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Clarke said: “Maybe in the second half when we had a few chances we could have got another couple of goals. But no, that was good, it was a good start.

“You work through pre-season and you’ve always got to focus on the first game. There was probably a bit more spotlight on me because of my Liverpool background but the players showed they had been listening throughout the pre-season and it was a great result for us.”