Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson lauds Reds reserves as Joe Cole gets Merseysiders off to a flyer
Roy Hodgson hailed his unsung reserveslast night after resting Fernando Torresand Steven Gerrard for Sunday'sshowdown at Manchester United. [LNB]Liverpool still hammered SteauaBucharest in their Europa League groupopener, with Joe Cole scoring after just 26seconds before David Ngog's brace and Lucas' long-range stunner completed the victory.[LNB] And boss Hodgson said:'I was delighted that those who stepped inensured we still had the right result.[LNB]CLICK HERE TO READ JOHN EDWARDS' MATCH REPORTArtful dodger: Cole eludes Ngog after his goal at a half-full Anfield[LNB]'I think it is important you make decisions and make them for the rightreasons,' who retained only Jose Reina, Paul Konchesky and Maxi Rodriguez fromthe goalless draw at Birmingham. [LNB]'I had no doubt that, given the fact we have so many players who playinternational football, this was the moment to give them a rest and allow themto prepare properly for Sunday's game. [LNB]'The ones who came in did a good job and got a good result and in my opinionthe decision would have been just as valid even if we had not got a goodresult. [LNB]'They made us work hard to contain them but even in that period Joe showedsome good touches. I'll start thinking about the weekend come tomorrow. I'll just enjoy thevictory tonight.' [LNB] Content: Roy Hodgson (centre) praised his side's performance[LNB]Hodgson also had praise for the performances of Ngog and Cole, although headmitted getting a goal from Lucas minutes after putting him on was more byfortune than design. [LNB]'I thought Ngog's confidence grew after the penalty but I don't think helooked that confident in the first half,' added the Reds boss. [LNB]'But certainly his confidence grew the longer the game went and we had so muchpossession in the second half that for forwards it is good when you have thatmuch dominance in the midfield. [LNB]'It was nice for Joe Cole to get his first goal for the club, I thought he waslively. We substituted Lucas because we wanted to make certain we shored up themidfield and to give Ryan Babel a rest - the decision was made for defensiverather than offensive reasons, it is just a coincidence Lucas scored a greatgoal. [LNB] Bosh! Lucas hammers home Liverpool's third of the night[LNB]Steaua coach Ilie Dumitrescu felt his side did not deserve their 4-1 defeat butadmitted they were architects of their own downfall to some extent. [LNB]'We gave a present to Liverpool in the first minute, said the formerTottenham and West Ham midfielder. [LNB]'In the second half I tried to move things around but I knew it was difficultto get a result here because Liverpool create big pressure. [LNB]'Maybe it was a penalty, maybe it was not, but at the end of the day I wasvery sad for the result because this is not the real picture of what happened onthe field.'Dumitrescu had no arguments with Hodgson's team selection. [LNB]'You have Maxi Rodriguez, David Ngog, Ryan Babel, Joe Cole - they are qualityplayers and it is a very strong squad and they look organised,' he added.[LNB] Liverpool 4 Steaua Bucherest 1: Joe Cole hits first Reds goal as Roy's boys overcome early trouble to cruise homeRed Bull Salzburg 0 Man City 2: Silva lining for Mancini's men with Jo on target tooHoullier targets Owen as Villa boss confirms interest in reunion[LNB][LNB]
