• Capital One Cup

Rodgers hails 'symbolic' cup win

Nuri Sahin was on the scoresheet © Getty Images

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes his side's victory over West Brom shows how far they have come in a short space of time.

The Reds lost 3-0 to the Baggies in Rodgers' first game in charge on the opening day of the season, but two goals from on-loan midfielder Nuri Sahin ensured there would be no repeat performance in Wednesday's Capital One Cup tie.

And Rodgers believes the contrasting results illustrate the vast improvements his team are already making.

"I think it was a symbolic night because it shows how fast we are moving as a group," Rodgers said. "How we have progressed from our first day of the season here, when we were a wee bit disjointed and players did perhaps not quite understand my methods and what I wanted.

"Overall the confidence on the ball and the ability to pass it and the courage to want it was very prominent with the players.

"It's really been the last three or four weeks when our tempo and rhythm and relentless possession has started to come through, so it was good to see and it was good to win."

Rodgers had praise for goalscorer Sahin, admitting the Real Madrid midfielder had needed a little time to adapt to his surroundings.

"He's still getting up to speed," Rodgers said. "It's been difficult for him because he was out for a long time and he's come here having missed a big part of pre-season. But he's getting better.

"He has great football arrogance - he's terrific on the ball. You can see in his first goal that he has got great technique and he is not frightened to shoot. And for the second goal, he showed that he can arrive in the box and get a goal."

Sahin was happy to play a crucial role in getting a win for his new side, and hopes the performance convinces Rodgers to put him in the first team for Premier League matches - starting with the weekend meeting with Norwich.

"It was very special for me to score my first goal for Liverpool and it was a proud moment," Sahin said. "We played with a young side and they showed a lot of character, especially to come back from 1-0 down and they did very well.

"It was great to get the winning goal in front of the Liverpool supporters, who were fantastic. Full credit to Suso and Oussama [Assaidi] for creating the chance for me and I was the lucky one to score."

He added: "The manager told us we have to shoot more when we get a sight of goal. I had some space and time and I know it was a mistake by their goalkeeper but if you don't shoot you don't score, so I was happy to see it go in.

"[It's] down to the manager who plays but I am enjoying playing in this team. I love playing good football and this team gives me the chance to do that.

"I just want to help the team and give my best when I get the chance and hopefully we can get another victory on Saturday."

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