Daniel Sturridge: 'Liverpool defeat is hard to take'

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has said that his goal in the Europa League final is little consolation after his side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Sevilla.

Sturridge's opener gave the Premier League outfit hope of a victory that would have also secured Champions League qualification, but the Merseyside giants were pegged back in the second half and were comfortably beaten by their Spanish opponents.

The 26-year-old told Sky Sports News: "We worked hard out there but in the end, they played well in the second half. It was nice to score but at the same time, you want to come away with a winner's medal and to lose the game is heartbreaking.

"When you lose a final, it's hard to take but we are going to have to take it on the chin."

Sturridge ended the season with 13 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions.