Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admits they stood off Manchester United in the first-half of Sunday's defeat.

Rodgers felt his side afforded their counterparts too much space in the first period, before his half-time plan to seize the initiative backfired within a minute.

"I think it was clear that in the first half we gave them too much room," he said. "They were able to control the game much better than us and they deserved the lead at half-time.

"Second half, we looked to change it. Obviously, we went down to 10 men early, but then I thought the players really demonstrated their quality and their fight and their spirit to keep going right to the very end.

"They went 2-0 behind against a good side. They got the goal back to 2-1 and they were in the game right until the very end. I've got great pride in the players. I'm disappointed with the result and performance, but they've kept going."