Brendan Rodgers Looks To Cup, League After Exit

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers on Thursday acknowledged he was disappointed the club had gone out of the Europa League to Besiktas on penalties but said they would now focus on the Premier League and FA Cup.
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“We are disappointed of course to go out in the manner we did,” Rodgers said after the away tie in Istanbul which saw Besiktas level the aggregate score 1-1 and then win 5-4 on penalties in the Round of 32.
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“We created opportunities in the first half to make it difficult for them,” he told reporters, regretting the errors that led to Tolgay Arslan’s aggregate equaliser.
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“I am proud of the team and (there was) a fantastic atmosphere we really appreciate.
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“But we are disappointed having put so much into the game.”
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Rodgers said Liverpool would now focus on the Premier League, where their campaign has gathered momentum after a dismal start, and the FA Cup where Liverpool face Blackburn in the sixth round in March.
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They must now also pick themselves up for a crunch league clash against Manchester City at the weekend.
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“We can just now concentrate on our league campaign, which is now going better, and we have an excellent opportunity in other competitions,” added Rogers.
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“I can only give credit to my players.
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“Unfortunately for us Istanbul has not been a happy place for us tonight.”
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He admitted Liverpool missed players of the quality of Steven Gerrard, who is injured.
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“I think until they scored the goal we were quite comfortable. Out aim was to keep a clean sheet. We did miss some of our creativity but it’s no excuse.”
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Rodgers meanwhile had comforting words for Dejan Lovren, who missed the final and decisive penalty to give Besiktas the victory.
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“We are disappointed for him as he had a good game. But someone had to miss and unfortunately it was him and us,” said Rodgers.