Boss: We gave that everything we had
Brendan Rodgers insisted his Liverpool side gave everything in their unsuccessful pursuit to overcome Chelsea in the Capital One Cup semi-finals.
The Reds were thwarted at Stamford Bridge in their attempts to reach Wembley on Tuesday night, with the home outfit securing a victory in extra-time.
Long after the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Alberto Moreno had been denied an opener in London, Branislav Ivanovic nodded home on 94 minutes.
Rodgers' team were unable to produce a response in the moments that remained, and therefore it was Chelsea who progressed 2-1 on aggregate.
But the Northern Irishman believed his players had edged the Barclays Premier League leaders in performance level across two closely-fought legs.
"I think we were the better side over the two games, but ultimately you've got to get the place in the final," assessed the manager after the final whistle.
"I think the goalkeeper for them has won them the tie really. Performance-wise, we were outstanding. Again tonight, some of our play was very good and we created chances.
"There weren't going to be many chances in the game for both sides, but certainly in the first half we created enough to maybe get a couple of goals.
"But their 'keeper made some very good saves and ultimately, I think, has won them the tie.
"I sit here with pride. There's disappointment we haven't got through, but Chelsea arrived at the top of their game when they came to Anfield last week and we were outstanding and should have won that game.
"Tonight we were very, very good again. The learning for us is to make the next step - you saw a lot of young players out there working, and now we've got to make the next step and try to go on and win a trophy."
Two avenues for cup success remain open to the Reds in the remainder of the season, with the FA Cup and Europa League still part of their commitments.
Asked what his young players would learn and take from the disappointment of elimination tonight in their development, Rodgers said: "These types of experiences help that.
"We wanted to do everything - and I think we did do everything - we possibly could to get to the final. We just failed to be clinical.
"We created the chances, particularly in the first half and at Anfield. We had enough opportunities to score, but just couldn't make the finishing touch.
"Of course it hurts, because you put so much into it. You saw at the end, they were dead on their feet in extra-time - we had nothing else.
"We did everything in the game; we played 3-4-3 and flipped the team about in extra-time to play with a diamond three to try to create more pressure.
"For us to be successful, at times it's got to hurt as well. In this competition in particular, we've started to get our flow in our football back again.
"And, very importantly for us, how we press the game, and I thought we gave Chelsea a lot of problems. But it wasn't to be."