Brendan Rodgers refuses to condemn Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has refused to criticise Daniel Sturridge for missed chances as they crashed out of the FA Cup on Sunday.

The England international spurned three good openings as the Reds were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

He told reporters: "He's a wonderful player. He'll be really disappointed because he had a chance to break a record today. He's had three chances that, for him, are big chances.

"He's always a threat, that's why you keep him on - his pace will always take him in there. He's disappointed and he's disappointed for the team as well because he takes on that responsibility.

"We could have easily had another five or six goals today, but we weren't as clinical. Daniel will be fine. He'll be disappointed because we've lost and he'll think he should have scored, but we'll refocus and go again next week."

The Reds are currently fourth in the Premier League.