Rodgers: We showed courage in Madrid

The Reds ultimately fell to Karim Benzema's first-half goal in the Champions League Group B contest, but turned in a determined display in Spain.

Their efforts came after Rodgers opted to make seven changes to his starting line-up after Saturday's 1-0 reversal at Newcastle United.

The manager told his post-match press conference: "We're disappointed with the result, in particular after an excellent performance. We started the game very, very well, showed great confidence and courage to play.

"We defended well when we had to against a team who are winning games by four, five and six goals and are currently the best team in the world.

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"I thought we were unfortunate not to get something from the game. The courage the players showed, we had to defend well at times, but we always wanted to ensure we stayed in the game. We've seen at this stadium in particular, games finished after 20/25 minutes.

"With our courage to play, our attitude and commitment in the game to keep going forward, I thought we deserved a point from the game.

"In terms of team selection, I know we haven't been a team that has got a consistent run of form at the moment, winning five or six games. The changes were for a team that I thought would get us a performance and a result - we got a performance but unfortunately we didn't get the result."

Expanding on his decision to make wholesale changes to his starting XI, Rodgers explained that he did not 'rest' players ahead of the weekend clash with Barclays Premier League pacesetters Chelsea.

The likes of Kolo Toure, Lucas Leiva, Emre Can, Lazar Markovic and Fabio Borini came into the team and impressed - and the manager insists he selected a side he felt were wholly capable of achieving a result against Real.

Rodgers explained: "I go with my gut feeling and it was that the performance we had on Saturday wasn't as good as what we would have wanted.

"But it's also what we'd planned out over a number of games - we had seven matches in 21 days, we're trying to adapt players into a new way of working and playing. Because we can't train as much, we have to see them, look at them and develop them in the games.

"Every game for Liverpool is a big game and I didn't see this as a big showcase game where I had to play the so-called names and then not have a big game at the weekend.

"I thought the players were outstanding. I look at Kolo Toure who came into the team, I thought he was excellent. Lucas Leiva, who hasn't featured so much, was outstanding in that controlling midfield role. Emre Can is getting up to fitness and speed, Adam Lallana was excellent and got better as the game went on. Fabio Borini showed his intensity with pressure and movement at the top of the field and young Markovic worked hard and will get better as time goes on.

"It might have seemed a gamble from the outside, but certainly for me it wasn't."

Given the manner in which some of those players restored to the Liverpool team grasped their opportunity to shine on one of world football's biggest stages, Rodgers confirmed they've given him plenty to ponder.

"Tonight gives me great food for thought," he continued. "There weren't players 'rested' as such, we played a team we felt could get a result - and we nearly got a result.

"We haven't been consistent enough for too many players to be in the team as guaranteed starters. We haven't had that consistency.

"What I know is the group has been working so well, I felt the need to change the team on the back of our last game against Newcastle.

"As I said, we're on a run of seven games in 21 days and this is where I now have to put the trust into the squad because we've brought a lot of players in. You have to show that trust as a coach and a manager. That's what I did tonight.

"Thankfully, we produced a very good performance - now we have to refocus and go towards the Chelsea game now, and we'll pick what we feel is the best team to try and win the game."

Rodgers added: "I think Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in every game since the Super Cup against Atletico Madrid apart from tonight - which shows you how well we defended, how hard we worked and how well this team played to stop a player such as him.

"They have got a really talented team. Right to the very end, my players put in a performance that befits the wonderful club that this is, and showed that the commitment and passion, quality and spirit was very much there."

In Champions League Group B's other game this evening, FC Basel defeated Ludogorets Razgrad 4-0 in Switzerland.

Tonight's results mean Liverpool are third in the standings, but can qualify for the knockout stages if they collect maximum points from their final two matches.

"When the draw was made and we looked at the fixtures, we felt it would probably go down to the last game against Basel," said Rodgers.

"We have a big job on our hands - we have to win the next game to take it to that last game. That's something we'll be very focused on.

"Tonight was a great performance. We didn't get the result I felt the team deserved, but it's still very much in our own hands. Our objective was to get out of the group, and we still have a big possibility to do that."

Reporters quizzed Rodgers on how the players who were left out of the starting line-up at the Bernabeu reacted to the news.

The boss replied: "The players were fine. There was no issue with the players. I think that they all understood and respected the choice and what we were aiming to do.

"I think they know themselves that the team and the squad will be used throughout the season. There was no issue.

"I'm very fortunate to say that here I've got a group of very honest players. The players also know the name is irrelevant to me - it's not about the big name being left out, it was about the performance.

"If a player is playing well, whether he's a young player or an older player, I always look at that and focus on that.

"The players were fine. I spoke to Steven [Gerrard] over a week ago. I told him my plans for the next number of games for him and he was fine. He was a true professional and for the other players it was not a problem."

Rodgers saved his final words for the 4,000-plus Liverpool fans, who supported their side magnificently from their perch in the upper tiers of the Bernabeu throughout the contest.

"The supporters backed us brilliantly tonight and in my time here they always have done," he said. "We could hear them in the stands, way up in the sky, and they gave us great backing.

"That's what allowed the game to be so tight until the very end. It was a combination of great support and an outstanding performance by the team.

"Irrespective of the Chelsea game, we picked the team to try to get a result tonight. All those that weren't playing tonight, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll play against Chelsea."