Liverpool FC News: Rodgers Pleased With Victory Over Stoke

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was pleased with his side's victory over Stoke City, indicating that the Reds have shown "character" in their recent outings.

The match seemed to be on its way to a goalless draw, but right-back Glen Johnson had other things in mind as he heads the ball past Asmir Begovic on the rebound.

"We have shown wonderful character this week; we should have won our game in the week, and in Europe it is never easy," said Rodgers.

"Today, in the Premier League against a good team, we have kept a clean sheet and won against a team that doesn't concede many goals."

"I was very satisfied and my overriding feeling was that I was delighted for the players because they are a wonderful group to work with."

The Merseysiders pushed the tempo in the second half, which was just what the Irishman ordered from his charges during the break.

"I felt we just needed to up the speed of our game a little bit, move the ball a little bit quicker and look to press the game a little bit higher up the field," replied the boss," he continued.

"I thought in the first half we had enough of the ball, but lacked a little bit of intensity, which is understandable because the confidence of the team isn't at the top yet."

"In the second half we were excellent and you just felt it was coming. The players deserve a huge amount of credit for the courage they showed today to keep going, and the resilience and persistence against a good side that have got really good players."

"A hard-fought victory for us, but a well-deserved one, I felt."

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