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Brendan Rodgers maintains he “wouldn't have done anything different” after a difficult week ended with Liverpool slumping to a third successive defeat.

The Reds surrendered an early lead to lose 2-1 at home to Chelsea and now stand 15 points adrift of the Premier League leaders.

Rodgers recalled the seven players he had controversially omitted for the midweek Champions League reverse at holders Real Madrid.

And the Reds boss said: “It is a difficult moment for us. The changes raised a lot of criticism in the week.

“I can take that. I made the call.

“The players have been brilliant in their approach to the games but we the pressure is now on because we didn't get the results.

“I wouldn't have done anything different at all, we just didn't get the results.

“This week will be an experience for us and we can use that and go forward.”

Rodgers was jeered by sections of the Anfield crowd for his decision to substitute Philippe Coutinho during the second half.

And he explained: “I didn't feel we were creating enough so I wanted to get an extra striker on to change the momentum.

“The fans were frustrated. We've lost three games on the spin now, they aren't used to that. I understand that there is that wee bit of frustration.”

Although Emre Can struck a ninth-minute opener, goals from Gary Cahill and Diego Costa sent the Reds tumbling to their fifth defeat in 11 league games – only one fewer than they lost during the whole of last season.

But the Reds should have had the chance to earn a point late on when the officials somehow failed to spot a clear handball by Cahill inside the area.

“It's bitterly disappointing for us as there was a big decision in a big game that we didn't get,” said Rodgers.

“It wasn't even in doubt. It was a clear handball. You need to get that (decision).

“Our players deserved something so if we weren't going to get it from open play we should have had the chance from the penalty spot.

“We are not getting the rub of the green. But that wasn't about fortune – it was a clear penalty.

“We are very disappointed. We think we deserved something from the game.

“We had enough territory and possession, we just couldn't find that final pass.”

Chelsea's first goal was given after goalline technology ruled the ball was over the line, while Cesar Azpilicueta was adjudged to have kept the ball in play in the build-up to the visitors' winner.

“The technology coming into the game has been great,” said Rodgers.

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“Sometimes it will go for you and sometimes against you. And when you see the replay it was obviously over the line.

“For the second goal, we had to recover quicker back into the box. It may have gone out but when it doesn't go out we have to defend that little bit better.”

Rodgers hailed the performance of Can and said: “I thought he did very well. The plan was to play Emre because of the physicality of Chelsea. They are a big team.

“Emre is coming back to fitness. He looks strong and took his goal very well.”

Rodgers, meanwhile, is confident Daniel Sturridge will be available for Liverpool's next game at Crystal Palace in a fortnight.

“We hope Daniel is back,” he said. “He hasn't trained with the team at all.

“Hopefully in the course of the next few weeks he can train with the squad and we can have him back.”