Liverpool 2-1 Bordeaux the verdict: Reds take step in the right direction in search for home comforts

Goals from Christian Benteke and James Milner secure Europa League progress for Jurgen Klopp’s men. THE search for a cure for Liverpool’s home sickness goes on – but at least this was a nervy step in the right direction.

Jurgen Klopp’s side secured their passage to the last 32 of the Europa League with an unconvincing and scrappy triumph over Bordeaux.

The Reds never came close to hitting the heights they reached in the rout of Manchester City but they did just enough to guarantee that Anfield will host European football in the new year.

Victory moved them to the summit of Group B following FC Sion’s defeat away to Rubin Kazan and a point in Switzerland next month will ensure they stay there.

However, Klopp’s mission to turn Anfield into an arena where opposing teams fear to tread clearly remains a work in progress.

The wait for Liverpool to play at home with the kind of swagger that has lit up Stamford Bridge and the Etihad since the German coach’s appointment goes on.

Yet again Liverpool got a bout of the jitters in L4. Yet again they made life difficult for themselves as they gifted the opposition a cheap goal and then having got themselves in front they failed to be ruthless.

No fewer than 18 different visiting teams have left with something for their troubles since the start of last season and during an increasingly frenetic finale Bordeaux came close to adding themselves to that list.

Simon Mignolet was the most relieved man inside Anfield as his bizarre lapse of judgement, which led to Henri Saivet’s opener, didn’t prove costly.

James Milner’s penalty quickly restored parity and Christian Benteke rifled home in stunning fashion what proved to be the winner in first-half stoppage time.

It was a tale of two strikers – one who showcased what he has to offer Klopp and the other whose absence only added to the uncertainty over his prospects.

This was the night when Daniel Sturridge was supposed to make his comeback having sat out the opening eight matches of Klopp’s reign with a swollen knee.

But just hours before kick-off the England striker cried off after complaining of pain in his foot and was sent for a scan.

There is no doubting Sturridge’s quality but his mentality remains a source of great discussion.

When Luis Suarez left Liverpool 18 months ago, Sturridge spoke about stepping out of the Uruguayan’s shadow and becoming the focal point of the club’s attack.

Posted by Minority Voice on Nov 27 2015. Filed under Featured, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry