bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers blasted his players after they crashed to defeat at third-tier Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round.
Rodgers named fringe players Brad Jones, Sebastian Coates, Jack Robinson and Jordan Henderson in his side.
But the plan backfired as the 18-time English champions were beaten 3-2 by the struggling League One team at Boundary Park, with Oldham striker Matt Smith finding the net twice.
Liverpool became the fifth Premier League side to lose to a team from a lower level in this season's fourth round and furious Rodgers pulled no punches in his assessment of his team's failings.
"Matt Smith is a good player, but we have played against that type before," he said.
"The FA Cup was a competition we wanted to have a go at and there is no excuse. We put out a strong team capable of winning the game, but we didn't.
"You have to take it on the chin, but there have been plenty of warnings throughout the weekend - if your application is not right, you can get found out."
Having handed opportunities to players desperate for playing time, Rodgers said that he was frustrated to see them underperform.
"We were coming here in good form and obviously we are bitterly disappointed," he said. "I was bitterly disappointed with the young players as they had a chance to show they can play for Liverpool and compete for a club that has to challenge for trophies.
"We lost our concentration, and only had spells in the last 35 minutes when we were at the right level. Congratulations to Oldham, though."
Oldham manager Paul Dickov still appears set to lose his job after chairman Simon Corney effectively admitted he had decided to dispense with his services after a run of seven defeats and one draw in eight League One games.
"It's very awkward," Corney said. "Paul has his own decision to make. Days like this are great but the biggest thing is about staying in this division."


Liverpool boss Rodgers blasts side after FA Cup defeat to Oldham

Oldham celebrate a Matt Smith goal. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football