Brendan Rodgers "bitterly disappointed" with Liverpool's Champions League exit

Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Liverpool will take all the experience gained from this season's Champions League disappointment in order to help them return to the competition next year.

The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by Basel at Anfield last night to put an end to their European hopes at the group stage.

Liverpool, who are currently six points off a top-four spot in the Premier League, now face a real battle to return to Europe's showpiece competition.

"I think we earned the right to be in this year after a wonderful season last year, but over the course of the games we weren't good enough and ultimately went out," Rodgers told reporters following the game.

"It's been a really good learning experience for us and we want to fight as hard as we can to make sure it's not another five years. We are bitterly disappointed and we will fight very hard to make sure we are back in it next year."

Real Madrid topped Group B, while Basel finished in second place to join the Spanish giants in the last 16.