Burnley boss Brian Laws says he is proud of his players after their defeat at home to Liverpool.

Two goals from captain Steven Gerrard - the first from a deflection - a maiden Liverpool strike for Maxi Rodriguez and a late effort from Ryan Babel did the damage.

All Liverpool's goals came in the second half and the frustrating thing for Laws was that Steven Fletcher and Jack Cork could have put their side 2-0 by half-time with headers which they wasted.

Laws pointed to the difference in standard for Burnley's problems both in this game and the season as a whole.

"The players gave everything and today probably reflects on the effort that we have put in but also reflects the gulf in quality," said the former Sheffield Wednesday boss.

"We were very unfortunate with the first goal, which knocked the stuffing out of us.

"Having said that we should have scored just before that and the second goal Gerrard showed real quality.

"Teams of this ability will have their opportunities and they have certainly taken theirs and we haven't taken ours - that has been probably the story of the season.

"The scoreline doesn't suggest the performance and we were unlucky not to score first as that would have been the key for us to go on and win the game and give ourselves a fighting chance.

"Unfortunately we didn't take it. They did, and that was it.

"No-one crumbled and gave anything less than their all and I'm very proud of them today."