Liverpool have limped through to the next stage of the Europa League, after a late goal sealed a 1-1 draw with Hearts at Anfield on Thursday night.
The Scottish side looked to have pushed the game into extra-time when David Templeton struck with six minutes remaining, however Luis Suarez popped up with an equaliser with 88 minutes on the clock to give the Merseysiders a 2-1 aggregate win.
Brendan Rodgers praised his side despite the disappointing result and feels the club is moving in the right direction.
“One of the key things that I’ve noticed in the group is that they have hard work and integrity, I think the players have been absolutely magnificent since I’ve come in,” he told reporters after the game, reported in The Guardian.
“They’ve given me everything and as each day goes on we’re getting closer as a group. That spirit really took us through Sunday’s game and took us through tonight’s game so it’s very important that when we went 1-0 behind we didn’t get disappointed.
“We came back and Luis’ most difficult chance he took, a wonderful run and finish. We probably could’ve put the game to bed earlier,” the Northern Irish coach concluded.
By Gareth McKnight