ReactionScott Rogers' verdict on Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City

The Reds took a first-half lead in the Barclays Women’s Super League contest on Sunday, with Olivia Smith firing in a low effort from long distance.

Khadija Shaw equalised for City just before the hour mark and the same player denied the hosts a point with a winning strike in the 92nd minute.

• Read our match report from Anfield here

With manager Matt Beard unable to be at the stadium due to illness, assistant managers Rogers and Amber Whiteley took charge of team duties in the dugout.

Read Rogers’ post-match reaction, speaking to Sky Sports, below…

On there being disappointment and positives on the day…

Yeah, lots of positives. I thought we nearly warranted a point. Defensively, I thought our shape was solid and we frustrated City for long periods. We just got punished when we switched off.

On Rachael Laws’ performance and the lack of a substitute goalkeeper this afternoon…

We know the situation at the minute. It is what it is. Lawsy has done really well today, she pulled off some really good saves. She’s a big part of the team and she worked really hard for us.

On Smith’s condition after going off at half-time with an injury…

I haven’t really spoken to the medical staff properly about it, I just know there was quite a bump. It’s a shame really, it was a bit of a blow for us because obviously Liv was doing really well and causing them problems on the counter. Obviously to lose that just before half-time was a bit of a blow.

On the marking of Smith in the game…

WSL clubs in general, obviously she has drawn a lot of attention to herself with how she plays. She carries the ball really well and she can handle it under pressure. I think teams are obviously targeting that and maybe being a little bit rough with her at times. But it’s part of the league and she’ll have to get used to it.

On the mood in the dressing room post-match…

There’s disappointment, you don’t want to lose a game. And, as I said, I thought we warranted a point. But there’s lots of positives that we can review next week. We’ll let it settle today and then we’ll get back on the training ground next week and look forward to playing Crystal Palace.