Thursday 23 October 2014 08:18, UK
Brendan Rodgers says he could have asked for no more from his side after seeing them taken apart by Real Madrid.
After making a bright start Liverpool were undone by a devastating 18-minute spell as Real Madrid took the game away from with three goals in the opening half at Anfield.
Cristiano Ronaldo set Real on their way with a stunning opener on 21 minutes before two goals from Karim Benzema after some suspect Liverpool defending put the holders in control by the interval.
Rodgers admitted the first goal was the key point in the game, but was left to rue defensive mistakes for Benzema's two goals.
"I thought we made an excellent start for the first 20 minutes but after they got that first goal, they showed their quality," Rodgers told Sky Sports.
"In the second half we were playing for pride, the player kept going, they didn't stop - they were playing against a top-quality team.
"We defended poorly on one or two of the goals but I can't ask for any more - we probably needed to get a goal in that opening period.
"You can see Real's quality. Speed, technique; you can see why they are champions. The second and third goals are from set-pieces again, it's an issue for us and we have to be better than that
"We'll look at it and learn but we were punished by a top-class side."
