Brendan Rodgers: 'We were too negative'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he wasn't impressed with his side's defending during their 4-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Rodgers witnessed his team concede three goals either side of half time at the Emirates Stadium, but the Northern Irishman was equally rueful of his team allowing the Gunners to gain control of the match during the opening stages.

The 42-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "Right from the kickoff, we were too negative. We like to play forward but we put ourselves under the pressure in the first 10 minutes and they had control.

"I thought after that we started to find our passes and we were the better team and created the best chances. So we were looking to go in at half time 0-0 or maybe in front - but then we defended very poorly for all three goals."

The defeat leaves Liverpool five points adrift of a top-four place in the standings.