Bitterly dissappointed with the result, but greatly encouraged with the performance. I do think that we were the better team over the two legs, but unfortunately the away goals rule worked against us this time.
I will try to focus on the positives from the match:
We looked good/dangerous without Sturridge. We have been struggling to find the same level of attacking threat without him in the side, but I feel that the team put out from the start had the right blend of personell to give us good balance on both sides of the ball.
Allen looked good. He has been in a poor run of it lately, but he was composed on the ball, constantly made himself available, and put in a very good shift.
Suarez reaffirmed that he is a world beater and we simply cannot lose him. We need to get another top forward player in over the summer who can play with both Suarez and Sturridge and we will be in really good shape (attacking wise anyway).
Hendo, Downing, Agger, and Enrique all had good games as well. Many of us are under no illusion that while we are not at the level of quality or consistency that we need to be at to challenge for major honors, we are also not that far away. We do have the makings of a good squad and 3-5 additions of real quality in the summer will make us a very dangerous team again!!
Most of all, I am thrilled with the courage and fight showed by the lads. It would have been easy to let their heads drop and go down without a fight after Hulk scored that sucker punch goal. However, we buckeled down and had a real shot at advancing up until the very end. Well played lads!!
YNWA
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