Rodgers: First-half period proved costly
Brendan Rodgers felt Real Madrid's superior experience in matches at the highest level told, despite the best efforts of his players, in their 3-0 Champions League victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
The Reds were overturned as a result of three goals in 18 first-half minutes by Carlo Ancelotti's outfit on Merseyside, with their exertions either side of that period not enough to salvage something tangible from the Group B encounter.
A fine finish by Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock for Real in the 23rd minute, paving the way for Karim Benzema to head home a second on the half-hour mark. The striker was the scorer again shortly before half-time, tapping in from yards out.
Philippe Coutinho thrashed a long-ranger against the woodwork and Raheem Sterling was an incessant issue for the Spaniards to contemplate, but Rodgers' charges could not mount a genuine comeback.
"I actually thought we started the game very well - we were aggressive in our pressing and passing and we were coping very well," the Northern Irishman reflected at his post-match press conference.
"Then in that period after they got the first goal through to half-time, we conceded a disappointing first goal and then the other two were sloppy and loose and nowhere near what we would want.
"At 3-0 against a team that score so many goals and can be so dangerous, it's a dangerous game then. I've got to give big credit to the players because in that first period of the game we were very good.
"We conceded poor goals against a top side but then in the second half, we were much better technically, kept possession of the ball better and were a threat.
"Overall, it was a bit harsh for us to be 3-0 down at half-time. You see their quality and speed, the level of their game is high. But obviously it's disappointing when you're 3-0 down at half-time."
The La Liga heavyweights arrived at Anfield as the reigning holders of the competition, having run out victors over their city rivals Atletico Madrid in the final of last season's tournament in May.
Ancelotti could select a number of the world's elite stars within his XI, with Rodgers acknowledging the quality possessed by the visitors but also accepting that his own team should have dealt with the goals conceded in more effective fashion.
"They were outstanding, to be honest," he continued. "They have got many players with big game experience and they've got quality right the way through their group.
"In the first period of the game we were very good with our intensity and pressing. We looked a threat but the first goal knocked us back a little bit. We're disappointed with it and very quickly then we conceded two more.
"They didn't have to be at their best to get their goals, particularly the second and third because we need to defend that better and we need to be more aggressive. But I don't think you can say they didn't play well or didn't have to play well, because they did.
"They are a fantastic team, they have got great players. I'm also proud of my players, even though we lost the game 3-0. In the first period of the game and the second half, you see lots of teams crumble at 3-0 down against a team of that quality and speed on the counter-attack.
"We've got a very young team and you saw that this evening - their experience in terms of games against our young squad. But I was proud of the players tonight for how they kept going."