Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson was pleased with his players after their 0-0 Europa League draw at Napoli.

Hodgson spoke of his pride at the way starlets such as Jonjo Shelvey, Martin Kelly, David Ngog and Jay Spearing stepped up after the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres had been left behind on Merseyside to prepare for the Blackburn game.

He told his post-match press conference: "It was a very positive performance in many respects and a good point - a point maybe many people didn't think we would be capable of getting here with the team selected.

"But the team proved people wrong in that respect and their efforts on the field were very commendable. I don't think we should be anything other than delighted with the fact we played well, got the point and are still top of the table.

"All of us in this group are going to be required to do that (rest players) if we're going to take the league serious, in particular for Napoli and ourselves in important leagues, we need to make certain we use the players at our disposition. If your squad is any good, the players will be able to step up and deal with it.

"That was definitely the case for us tonight. We stepped up to the plate and dealt with it. A lot of players, like Jonjo Shelvey, we're doing so for the very first time and we did it in a very tough atmosphere. Napoli is a difficult place to come and play at any time.

"Tonight we have to be satisfied with a good result after a good performance and I think we deserved it."