Source: Team_Talk
Hodgson defends defeated Reds
Roy Hodgson denied Liverpool were not mentally tough enough for the challenge Stoke presented them after a 2-0 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.[LNB] He also expressed his disappointment that some fans chose to chant the name of former player-boss Kenny Dalglish towards the end.[LNB]The Reds were second-best throughout and fell behind when Ricardo Fuller poked home in a scramble resulting from Rory Delap's long throw.[LNB]Kenwyne Jones wrapped things up in the 90th minute before Lucas Leiva was sent off for a second bookable offence.[LNB]"I'm sad a good run has come to an end," said Hodgson.[LNB]"It was always going to be a tough task and I knew we would be hard-pushed to win that battle but I thought we dealt well with the pressure reasonably well.[LNB]"Once they scored it was going to be an even further uphill battle.[LNB]"The first goal I am not disappointed in the manner of it because that is the manner of most goals here and that is what you have to defend against.[LNB]"For large periods of time I thought we defended it reasonably well but they got their reward from one of those.[LNB]"It would be a very unfair accusation that we lacked the mental strength or courage, as our defending from so many of the throws and set-plays proved.[LNB]"I thought today we stood up as well as we could be expected to considering the pressure we were under.[LNB]"I don't think the players threw the towel in and never looked like throwing the towel in."[LNB]Asked if the singing of Dalglish's name disappointed him he added: "I suppose it does. That seems like it is going to be part of life at Liverpool.[LNB]"I think we are trying to do the best job we can in the circumstances and I don't know that that type of singing helps anyone.[LNB]"But I didn't hear it and I am sure there are lots of fans who sympathise with us and what we are trying to do."[LNB]Hodgson felt the Reds suffered in the second half because striker Fernando Torres carried on playing despite injury, although he played down the seriousness of the problem.[LNB]"He didn't want to come off and I didn't want to take him off but he was not firing on all cylinders," said the 63-year-old.[LNB]"We offered him the chance to come off but he wasn't interested in that.[LNB]"I don't think it was too serious, if it had have been I don't think he would have carried on but it was a nasty knock which he took on his ankle."[LNB]Stoke boss Tony Pulis, whose side moved out of the bottom three and up to 10th - a place above Liverpool on goal difference - felt their tactics were spot-on.[LNB]"We are very pleased. The important thing was to push up on Liverpool and stop them getting a rhythm in their passing and we really closed them down from the front.[LNB]"I am very pleased with everyone in my team. In a three-game week when you have to play a top side at the end of that week it is always very difficult.[LNB]"We showed loads of passion, commitment and energy and they deserved their victory."
