Echo: Rodgers: We deserved to win

Brendan Rodgers admitted he would leave Goodison Park 'bitterly disappointed' after Liverpool were denied a last-gasp derby day win over Everton by an erroneous offside call.

Luis Suarez thought he had secured a dramatic 3-2 win for the Reds with a stoppage-time strike, only to be denied by the flag of an assistant referee, with replays clearly showing the Uruguayan had been comfortably onside as he met Sebastian Coates' downward header.

It was a controversial end to a pulsating afternoon at Goodison, one which left a sour taste in Rodgers' mouth.

"We are bitterly disappointed, because it was a brilliant game," he said. "We are disappointed the goal didn't count because, for me, it was an easy decision.

"I'm not going to keep going on about officials, because it has been happening to us all season. I can understand the second (Everton) goal, that was our throw and they took it and went up the other end and scored.

"But the one at the end is actually quite straightforward. It's a free kick from deep, the ball is in the air for a long time and the official is just looking along the line. We are clearly onside, then when (Coates) heads it, Luis is level, minimum, and it's a wonderful finish.

"He should have had his goal, and it would have been a thoroughly deserved, brilliant win for us."

Rodgers admitted he would "ask the question" of the officials on why the goal was ruled out, but said he would not get "too heated" over it.

The Ulsterman had earlier seen his side race into a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes, only for Everton to peg them back before half time.

"I thought we played well in that early stage," he said. "We broke through with pressure. The first goal is a terrific goal, how we moved the ball from side to side and then got in.

"After 20 minutes, to be 2-0 up is great, but it is a difficult scoreline, especially when you are defending against a team that is very direct. There are lots of long balls into the box, it is constant and you have got to defend it. It is not possession pressure, just long, direct balls into the box, so we had to defend that.

"When it went to 2-2, I made the change to try and help us defensively, but to also give us that bit more offensive threat, and I thought that worked quite well for us in the second half."

Rodgers added: "We are frustrated, but at the same time I am very proud.

"I look at my young team today, in a real cauldron of an atmosphere, and how they stood up to everything against a very, very experienced team. It was another terrific stride forward for us.

"Look at the team today. Raheem at 17, Suso 18, Andre Wisdom 19, Jonjo (Shelvey) 20, Joe Allen, Jordan (Henderson) 22. All young players who will only grow and get better and better, and playing against a very experienced side at this level. I'm very proud."

Source: Liverpool Echo