Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers defended his team selection for defeat at Europa League opponents Anzhi.

Lacina Traore struck the only goal of the 1-0 win for Anzhi.

Rodgers felt the team, which contained nine Englishmen, a debutant in Conor Coady and had an average age of just under 24, had performed well.

"Not at all. I think that is a little disrespectful to the players who are here," said the Northern Irishman in relation to whether bringing Steven Gerrard and the others would have made a difference.

"They have been magnificent and I thought they did really well and we just got punished for a mistake.

"That led to us losing the game but I don't think it was anything to do with Suarez, Gerrard, Joe Allen, Martin Skrtel or Daniel Agger not being here.

"It was just one of those things. We will take it as a team, we are disappointed but there are so many positives."