Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers defended Danny Sturridge's scattergun performance in their FA Cup defeat at Arsenal.

Sturridge was thwarted in three promising situations, including two during the opening five minutes of the fixture, but the manager expects the right response from his forward.

"He's a wonderful player," the 41-year-old reflected. "He'll be really disappointed because he had a chance to break a record today. He's had three chances that, for him, are big chances.

"He's always a threat, that's why you keep him on - his pace will always take him in there. He's disappointed and he's disappointed for the team as well because he takes on that responsibility.

"It's always difficult straight after the game because there's so much emotion in it. The players know what I feel and my thoughts on it - I thought they were outstanding in their performance level.

"We could have easily had another five or six goals today, but we weren't as clinical. Daniel will be fine. He'll be disappointed because we've lost and he'll think he should have scored, but we'll refocus and go again next week."