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Gutted about the loss, but at least Liverpool turned up this time

The journey back from Wembley was a sombre one on Sunday, but when Jurgen Klopp talked about light at the end of the tunnel, he had a point.

Last year, Liverpool failed to turn up for a big Wembley occasion. They were awful against Aston Villa, deservedly beaten by a below-average side.

They turned up this time, though.

Look, I'm gutted about the result of course. We all are. But I'm not going to slaughter the players for that performance. Given the difference between the two sides in terms of quality, I thought they did well.

They left nothing out there, gave it all they had. The longer the game wore on, I felt our name was on that cup, but penalties are penalties and anything can happen. The nerves take over, and it becomes a lottery. Give their goalkeeper credit for some great saves in the shootout.

I'll never criticise any player for missing a penalty. We all know that I missed one for Liverpool in an FA Cup final at Wembley, and I missed in a shootout for Real Sociedad against Partizan Belgrade too. If you have the courage to take one, you deserve credit.

If we are being hyper-critical, you'd say James Milner should have taken one of the first two penalties, but for all we know the takers and the order were decided beforehand. We don't know.

I know Simon Mignolet got a lot of criticism after the game, and I agree that he should have done better for the goal, but I'm not going to be too harsh on him. He made a great save in the first half, and plenty more after the mistake, which shows good character. He'll be disappointed with the goal, but that was the only thing he did wrong.

All in all, it's hard to be too critical. Yes, we didn't create much - it didn't happen for Firmino and Sturridge looked miles short of full fitness - but you look at City's players compared to ours, and it's no surprise. If we have Aguero on Sunday, then we win.

I thought Klopp spoke well afterwards. He gives everyone hope that we will come back stronger. Hopefully next time we're heading back from Wembley, we're doing so with big smiles on our faces.

Lucas' best game for Liverpool and why he might have extended his Reds career....

If there was one person who didn't deserve to end up on the losing side on Sunday, it was Lucas.

For me, he had his best game in a Liverpool shirt. It was a surprise selection, but he justified it 100%. It was such a shame he had to be one of the ones to miss from the spot.

He's an option now at centre back, for sure. He might just have added years onto his Reds career. We have four senior centre backs, and they're all much of a muchness. What Lucas does is he reads the game, he talks and leads, and he can play the ball out from the back too.

He was brilliant winning headers and judging the play in his own penalty area - he reminded me of Carra at times, and that's high praise indeed!

Modern centre backs don't play like they did in my day. They don't have to be 6ft 5in - look at Mascherano at Barcelona - but they need to read the game and be able to communicate. Lucas can do that, for sure.

(Image: 2016 Getty Images)

Why Flanagan must start against Manchester City

I agreed with Jamie Carragher's comments after the game about Alberto Moreno - and more specifically about Jon Flanagan.

For me, he has to start against Manchester City on Wednesday. He has to get the chance now.

His contract is up at the end of this season, and it needs sorting. If they have any doubts about the lad, then give him the opportunity to show what he can do. We've seen before that he can handle it - he never lets anyone down.

Moreno can look good going forward at times, but positionally he leaves us wide open. He doesn't read when to bomb forward and when to sit, and he's so rash in his decision-making.

Flanagan tackles, he positions himself well and he talks. Now is the time to give him a go at left back, for me.

The perfect Europa League draw

It had to be that lot, didn't it?

But while it will be a couple of nervy games for certain, for me it's a great draw. I'm delighted.

Why? Because I think we can beat them over two legs.

I'm glad the first game is at home. If we can keep a clean sheet at Anfield, then I fancy us to go there and get the job done to be honest.

It's massive for both clubs, the first European meeting. They've done us over twice this season; let's hope it's our turn now!