Gerrard: Atletico happier

Steven Gerrard admits that Atletico Madrid were left happier than Liverpool following the Spaniards' 1-0 win on Thursday.

Diego Forlan's goal just nine minutes in at the Vicente Calderon gave Atletico a 1-0 win the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

Gerrard admits things did not go according to plan for his side and was thankful that the Reds did not concede a second goal.

"I don't think we got off to the best of starts," Gerrard told Sky Sports News.

"We were sluggish in possession and they scored at a good time and got their fans behind them.

"Our plan was to silence them in the first 20 minutes, and then take control of the game but that back-fired.

"But I thought we reacted well and it was important not to concede a second goal and we came close to sneaking one, and that would have been the perfect result but the result suits them better."

Team-mate Jamie Carragher admits a big improvement is needed in the second leg at Anfield next week.

"We need to step up," he told Sky Sports News.

"The second half was a lot more even and it was just a shame we didn't create many more chances but it is still all to play for."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.