Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers refused to condemn the board after Friday's deadline day shambles.

Sunday's defeat to Arsenal condemned Liverpool to their worst start to a season since 1962-63.

It was hardly the best way to mark Bill Shankly's 99th birthday, although Rodgers tried to put on a brave face.

"I am not here to cry," he said. "Whatever has happened, I wouldn't change it for the world. I am very proud to manage this club. I have made it my life.

"I felt we needed reinforcements. That is the reality. But it is gone now. The window is shut. We have to concentrate on the players who are already here."

Rodgers spoke with the Liverpool hierarchy about what went wrong, but he is refusing to pin any blame on owner John Henry.

"There is no doubt the finances here had to be changed," he said. "That was the reality. We have lost nine players and brought in three. From a business side the club has done well.

"What we have to do in the future is look after the football side. Hopefully in the next window - and the ones after - we can transition a group that allows us to compete.

"But it is a learning process for the owners as well. They invested £100million into the club and then changed one of the most iconic figures at the club.

"They made a big commitment to have me here for the longer term and have been very up front with me.

"There are one or two things we need to iron out. If we do that it will help us in the next window and the ones after. But they have not misled me."