Brian McDermott encouraged despite defeat to Liverpool

Brian McDermott has insisted that there were some positives to take from Reading's defeat to Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.

A Raheem Sterling goal condemned the Royals to a 1-0 loss at Anfield but McDermott believes that the second-half performance should give his team hope for the games coming up.

"I saw enough in the second half to know that we are competing and this group is going to be okay," he told BBC Sport. "First half we didn't really get going and in second half we pushed for a goal and that gives us hope."

Reading are still in the relegation zone as they continue their search for a first league win of the season.