Everything the manager said after today's 2-0 defeat against Liverpool.

What was the game plan?

We knew it was going to be a very difficult game with the attacking threat they have. They have players making runs almost every time they have the ball in space. The plan to have five at the back was a good one to narrow those spaces. We knew it was going to be difficult when they play at high speed with quick passing. In the first half, we were still in the game at half-time with only one goal of a difference. We identified the moments much better in the second half to go higher up the pitch and bring pressure on them. We did that far better than in the first half. Of course, it is disappointing to lose two goals from set pieces. We had some chances to make it 2-1, one ball was cleared from the line. Maybe we could have gotten something more out of the game. I think we have improved in the Champions League from the first game. But the level we face is very high and the level we had today wasn’t enough to get something from the game.

Did your players believe they could win?

We always have the belief. I saw it in my players. Especially in the first half, we made too many mistakes in our passing and in our first touches. We knew the pressure was there and we did much better in the second half. Of course, we had the belief. It always starts with belief. We were still in the game at half-time. In the first game, we were already out of the game at half-time and against Napoli, we were in the game until the red card. Don’t forget the opposition we are playing here. Everyone was saying ‘Liverpool are out of form it is going to be an easy game’ but you can see today the level they can reach.

Does it give you food for thought?

The gap is obvious. Look at the squads we both have. We are competing against one of the best sides in Europe. The gap is there but it doesn’t mean you have to lose the game. I thought we competed really well. We defended really well at set pieces and that is hard because they take them really well. We will learn from this game. The players will learn and take these experiences into the next game and the rest of the group.

How good was Allan McGregor?

He performed really well. We know he can perform on this level. Especially the first half and in the second half he had some good saves. So for me, it was a very positive performance. Another positive from today was Leon King, an 18-year-old defender from the academy who played really well. He was one of our best defenders. We are pleased with his performance. Ben Davies, his performance as well. He only played 70 minutes of the season and coming back to Liverpool I think he performed really well. 

Do you feel you got the best out of Malik Tillman on the right?

We played him on the right, the same role he played against PSV. He is used to the role. It’s always hard to pick players after a game and talk about personal performances of players. But it’s a team effort, we have to act like a team and move like a team and we did that much better in the second half when we made opportunities to go forward.

Could Rabbi Matondo play more on the left?

It’s not the first time he played on the left, he started in the league as well on the left. We have opportunities to change and he made bright positive moments when he came in.

You can still get third, that’s a positive?

It’s a very, very difficult group with teams from a high level. You see big defeats in this group stage and we have to concentrate on being in Europe after the winter break. That means results have to come our way in the next two games. That’s the only thing we can have still. The chance to play Ajax in the last game with a chance to qualify for Europe after the break.

Why were Liverpool able to overload?

It’s definitely down to the quality they have. I think they can switch the play with every player in the back, Van Dijk, Matip, Thiago, Henderson, Alexander-Arnold, he can switch play out of nowhere. We knew it was going to be difficult, but it was an experience we had again in the Champions League which is one we want to compete in, but we’ve found it really hard to challenge the teams we are facing now. As you said, we are improving and hopefully, it will take us into the Europa League after the World Cup.

Why did your side struggle to keep the ball today?

It’s [down to] experience. We did better than the first game but you know, it is a level where you have to think quicker, pass quicker, move quicker. In the first half, there were many moments when we won the ball but had a sloppy pass or our first touch wasn’t good. That’s an experience we are facing at the moment and we need to improve in these next three games. It’s a different level in the Champions League. We have used this system a lot in Europe, also in games at home when we had to play against really attacking sides but the margin for error is really small.

What are the key learnings for your team after three games?

It’s everything, Tactically, first touches, speed of passing, movement. Finding moments to speed up the game and press forward. We have been much better than the first game and my team will only improve. If that’s enough for us to go through in Europe, but it’s definitely an experience we can take forward.