West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke admits they couldn't live with Liverpool hat-trick hero Luis Suarez after their 4-1 defeat.
Clarke had seen enough of Suarez's quality as a first-team coach under Kenny Dalglish at Anfield to know the threat he posed but admitted they failed to deal with it.
"It was difficult three times," he said.
"We gave ourselves a mountain to climb as we started too slowly and by the time we got into the game we were 2-0 down.
"The first goal came from nothing, defensively it was disappointing, but the second is an unbelievable finish from the edge of the box and the fourth goal was also sublime - that finish put the icing on the cake.
"Some days you have to take your hat off to the opposition and say they were better and their front two caused us problems."
