Source: Team_Talk
Enrique expects Reds improvement
iverpool's newest signing Jose Enrique made a good impression on his debut but has promised there is plenty more to come.[LNB] The Spaniard found out less than 24 hours after his £6million signing from Newcastle that he would be starting in Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Sunderland in the Premier League because of an injury to Fabio Aurelio.[LNB]Enrique hardly put a foot wrong against the Black Cats and it was not immediately apparent he had been involved in just one training session prior to his appearance at Anfield.[LNB]The 25-year-old is seen as the long-term solution in a position which has been a problem area for the side in recent years and the player is looking forward to building on his debut.[LNB]"I am very happy because I only arrived the day before and I played my first game," he said.[LNB]"I was surprised. I only found out a few hours before kick-off.[LNB]"I knew Fabio had not trained but it was only this morning they told me.[LNB]"I am very happy (with my debut) but I am not really happy with the result.[LNB]"I think in the next few games, if I continue to play, it will be easy to understand players of this quality.[LNB]"It was just about defending first, because that is my job. I have plenty more days to train with the team and understand."[LNB]Luis Suarez, who only returned to training on Monday, put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute, nipping in at the near post to head another new signing Charlie Adam's inswinging free-kick past Simon Mignolet.[LNB]However, he had already wasted a glorious opportunity to put his side ahead when he ballooned over a fifth-minute penalty having been brought down by Kieran Richardson.[LNB]The Sunderland defender was lucky to only receive a yellow card as Suarez has gone around Mignolet but referee Phil Dowd showed leniency.[LNB]Andy Carroll had a goal ruled out while Stewart Downing, the third of four summer arrivals who made their debuts, saw his shot crash back off the crossbar after a driving run from inside his own half but Liverpool failed to capitalise on their dominance.[LNB]They appeared to tire in the second half and Sunderland seized their chance with Sebastian Larsson brilliantly volleying home Ahmed Elmohamady's deep cross.[LNB]Enrique admitted it would take some time for the whole side to gel and get up to speed in terms of match fitness.[LNB]"We have to think about the next game," he said. "We need more fitness but that is normal, as it is only the first game.[LNB]"I am okay. I am not 100% because I have not trained with the team and I need to get to know everyone. That is normal."[LNB]Manager Kenny Dalglish admitted there was still work to be done in terms of game sharpness and patterns of play but he was happy with the contribution made by his new signings, with Jordan Henderson the other to be handed his first start.[LNB]"Certainly Luis was never going to finish the match so it was no surprise we tailed off a little bit," said the Scot, who had to take into account the Uruguay international's exertions in winning the Copa America.[LNB]"We will manage all of them but he was on such a high when he came back we had to start with him.[LNB]"The surprising thing was the penalty kick - he didn't half miss it.[LNB]"Everyone did something that you would remember them for so we will look forward to working with them.[LNB]"We need to do better than that and we would like to think that we are going to have an improvement."[LNB]Sunderland manager Steve Bruce made 10 signings in the summer in overhauling his squad but gave debuts to only two - Larsson and the excellent Wes Brown - with Elmohamady having been on loan last season before making the move permanent.[LNB]Bruce knew he needed reinforcements but is still keen to keep faith with the players who did well for him last season.[LNB]"We finished 10th last year, which was the (club's) third highest finish in 50 years," he said.[LNB]"So if I had kicked people like Jack Colback, who did particularly well at the back end of last season, in the teeth I might not have seen him again.[LNB]"It was important that I gave the lads who served the club so well last season a chance.[LNB]"The lads who came to the club will be disappointed who did not start bit they will get their chance.[LNB]"The two who played had wonderful debuts so lets hope the others can have debuts like them."
