Ilori: Reds deserved more than FA Cup exit
Tiago Ilori is keen for Liverpool to try take the positives from their defeat to West Ham United, a result that he believes was ultimately undeserved.
The Reds saw their FA Cup hopes dashed as Angelo Ogbonna headed home in the final minute of extra-time in Tuesday's fourth-round replay at Upton Park, a goal which secured a 2-1 success for the hosts.
Jürgen Klopp's team had fought back after going to behind to Michail Antonio's volley on the stroke of half-time, levelling through a clever free-kick from Philippe Coutinho and creating a string of opportunities to settle the tie.
However, after those chances went to waste, Liverpool were punished by a late set-piece goal - though Ilori insists that shouldn't colour their assessment of the game.
"There are always positives and I definitely think the way we played, the opportunities we made, the way we fought, they're all positives," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"We didn't get the result we think we deserved and the one we fought for, but that's football.
"We worked hard, we managed to make some clear-cut chances and opportunities to score goals, but we didn't make the right decisions at the right times."
Ilori was part of a much-changed, youthful team that saw him joined in the starting XI by Academy graduates such as Brad Smith, Kevin Stewart and Jon Flanagan.
But the Portuguese believes the participation of a number of inexperienced players was of little consequence in terms of the result.
"Age is just a number, players get experience by playing," he added. "I think everyone today worked hard, it didn't matter their age.
"I played alongside Lucas and he didn't look at me and think, 'he's not as experienced' and I didn't look at him and think, 'he's the most experienced player'.
"We all play together, we train together everyday and we're a team."
The 22-year-old also reflected on the chances afforded him by the Reds' FA Cup run this season, reiterating his desire to keep working for a regular place in the first-team squad.
"I've had a few chances to play, which is great. But we just wanted the result and we thought we deserved it because we worked so hard," he explained.
"I always thought there could be a future here, that's why I signed for Liverpool in the first place. I just try and work hard every day.
"There are a lot of good players at Liverpool for me to learn from, I just take it step by step."