Thursday, October 23, 2014
Joe: We know there's plenty of work to do
Joe Allen left the field following his first taste of Champions League football downbeat but determined to use Real Madrid's dominant Anfield display as a marker for how far Liverpool must progress.
The Welshman worked himself tirelessly for 90 minutes alongside Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson - and latterly Emre Can - in attempt to hurry and harrass, press and out-pass the Madrid midfield engine room.
Although the Reds began with the best intentions and a degree of cutting edge, they were handed a timely reminder of the sheer quality Real possess within their ranks when the deadlock was broken in stunning fashion.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who had failed to net at Anfield on any of his previous visits, exchanged passes with James Rodriguez before steering beyond Simon Mignolet to open the scoring and deflate the home crowd.
Karim Benzema showed how lethal he can be, improvising with a looping header before pouncing to prod home from close range and send Liverpool into half-time with a 3-0 deficit looming over their heads.
Brendan Rodgers' side established a much firmer foothold after the interval, attacking the Anfield Road end with increased impetus and vigour; however, at the final whistle, Madrid's three-goal cushion stood.
"It was very difficult tonight," Allen admitted to Liverpoolfc.com following the final whistle. "We were playing the champions and they certainly proved why they are champions. There's plenty of aspects we need to work on.
"In all fairness, I think we started the game well and I think their first goal was all about Ronaldo. He's clinical. The goal came out of nowhere and that's what they do. They punish you in the counter-attack.
"Then when you try to get back into the game, they go and score again and it makes it almost impossible to try to get back into the game."
Despite Real's unassailable lead, Liverpool probed for a route back into the game, with Rodgers introducing Adam Lallana, Can and Lazar Markovic throughout the second period, in an attempt to find a way around Carlo Ancelotti's side.
There was to be no breakthrough, even after intricate work around the visitors' penalty area - but Allen believes that positives can be salvaged from the tie and he's convinced necessary improvements can be made.
"To have been three-down at half-time, I think the way we came out in the second half - we still threw everything at them," he said. "Everyone gave 100 per cent and I think, in that sense, we can be proud of ourselves.
"We'll still give everything to progress [from Group B]. We'll look forward now to the return fixture at the Bernabeu, getting ready for that and let's see what happens."
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