Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder admits Liverpool's late win over his side in the Champions League was tough to accept.
The Dutch champions put in a spirited display against the Reds, who reached the final of last season's competition.
Despite being level at 1-1 in the closing stages, Ajax went home without any points, as Joel Matip scored late to give Liverpool a 2-1 win.
Speaking to reporters post-game, Schreuder said: "We played against a top team tonight. We had a lot of problems in possession to find the free man.
"It demands more courage from us. Liverpool played with lots of intensity and we had some problems coping with that.
"In the first half the first time we showed courage it resulted in the goal, that gave us a bit more belief to do it. Liverpool's last pass in attack wasn't always great and that resulted in a back and forth game you don't really want.
"We got more grip on the game in the last 20 minutes. We had the chance with Daley Blind of course. At the end, when the goal happens with a dead-ball situation it's quite sour. We have lots of young players and they can learn a lesson from that.
"I can live with the defeat, of course. I can't say it was underserved. Liverpool were the better team this evening, there's no shame in that but you have to learn from that. We have to look at what we can do better."
