The pressure on Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been notched up considerably after only scraping past League Two side Carlisle United in the Capital One cup.
The Reds progressed 3-2 on penalties after the match had finished 1-1 after extra time. Danny Ings had given the home side the lead 23 minutes in before Derek Asamoah had levelled it up for the Cumbrians ten minutes later. Liverpool pressed for a winner but struggled to create any clear cut chances with many fans inside Anfield being frustrated.
Rodgers will also be concerned in regards to his two Brazilian players, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho. Firmino struggled to make his mark in the game before going off with a back injury while Coutinho came on and subsequently missed a penalty in the shootout.
Firmino landed awkwardly in the 35th minute and was replaced by Divock Origi. Rodgers will wait to see the extent of the injury with the forward’s back said to be the main problem. Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren also came off with an ankle injury but Liverpool assistant manager Gary McAllister played down concerns.
“He (Lovren) landed awkwardly but fingers crossed I don’t think it’s as bad as it looked,” said McAllister. “Like Dejan, Firmino also landed badly,” continued the former Liverpool midfielder. “It was just a ball he went up for and he’s landed on the base of his spine, just on his lower back.”
Sambafoot will keep you up to date with any news on Firmino’s progress.
