'First half display cost us'
Rodolfo Borrell reflected on Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in the NextGen Series and admitted a disappointing first half display cost his side on the night.
The Portugese outfit, which has produced stars in the calibre of Paulo Future, Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo, showed their class as they went into the half-time break 2-0 up, thanks to efforts from Joao Teixeira and Alberto Coelho.
However, Borrell's charges were much improved after the break and with a little more luck might have found the net on numerous occasions, but with time running out on the clock Farley Rosa netted a sublime third to clinch the three points for Sa Pinto's team.
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"In the first half there was a massive difference between the two sides," Borrell told LFC TV.
"They were a lot better than us and deserved the two goals, but from looking at our second half display I thought to lose 3-0 was very harsh.
"I knew Sporting Lisbon were a good side before the game and I told my players they would be very strong opponents.
"They showed their qualities. They have very good technical players who link up very well and they were a lot better than us in the first half.
"It was the first time this team have played together this season and we took a while to get going, but we were much better in the second half.
"I thought we played some great football in the second half and had the chances to score at least one goal but it wasn't to be."
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With five games still to play in Group 2 of the NextGen Series, the Reds still have plenty of time to bounce back from their opening setback, and Borrell insists his young side will learn from this experience.
He added: "What the players will learn from this is the reality of European football.
"It is a totally different philosophy and mentality to domestic football and they will learn a lot from this game.
"We have some interesting games to play against Molde and Wolfsburg and there is a long way to go in this tournament."