Rodgers claims Liverpool are anxious about playing at Anfield… You know

The pre-match hype was around the returning Daniel Sturridge, but it was Danny Ings who stole the headlines when he came off the bench to give the hosts the lead early in the second half.

Sturridge was understandably rusty, but certainly lively, while Benteke was withdrawn at half-time with a tight hamstring.

Liverpool have scored just four goals in the top flight this season. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see where Roberto Firmino plays, the number 10 is his most natural position but Coutinho is still regarded as the team’s best player. There were certainly enough chances to have won the game.

The England striker looked lively until he was substituted just past the hour mark. The boss overlooked Roberto Firmino, who could have been a more like-for-like replacement and worked alongside Ings up front instead.

Milner’s day got worse as he had a wide open shot on 16 minutes in the middle of the penalty area but blasted it straight at a defender with the goal gaping.

The problem, of course, is that in the end they didn’t win the match.

The five-time European champions face Carlisle United, Aston Villa and FC Sion over the next two weeks across three different competitions, and Rodgers is pleased to have home advantage despite their recent form.

He stuck with a back three for the visit of Alex Neil’s side with Sakho featuring alongside Martin Skrtel and Emre Can after earning his first league start off the back of an excellent performance against Bordeaux in the Europa League in midweek.

“He’s still a way off his full fitness, but his presence and stature in the game will always give us hope because he’s got big quality”.

One huge positive, especially in the first hour, was the performance of recalled Alberto Moreno.

The Spaniard managed to produce six chances on Sunday, which was actually more than any other player in the entire division – highlighting just how much Liverpool missed their marauding full-back’s attacking approach.

Coutinho had another golden opportunity to score – this time in the 78th minute – but the Brazilian was indecisive in the face of the charging Ruddy and watched in agony as the Norwich City goalkeeper stopped his effort from point-blank range.