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Kolo Toure insisted there was pride in defeat after a much-changed Liverpool FC side went down 1-0 to Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.

The veteran centre-back was one of a number of fringe stars to impress after Brendan Rodgers opted to rest a host of star names ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with leaders Chelsea.

Liverpool produced arguably their best defensive display of the season with the European champions, who were 3-0 winners at Anfield a fortnight ago, limited to just Karim Benzema's first-half strike.

“I know we lost but I am very happy because we played a really good game,” Toure said.

“At end of the day everyone worked hard and showed so much determination.

“We had a lot of players out there who haven't played many games this season but we showed what a good squad we have.

“It doesn't matter what players play here, they will give 100%. You have to be ready and we showed that.

“As a team, we worked so hard and I am really proud of the boys. We could have got a draw out of it.”

It was the first time Toure had started in a competition other than the League Cup since February.

“I have missed games like this,” he said.

“I play with my heart and I am ready to fight for my club.

“These are the kind of games you remember all your life. The last game I played here was with Arsenal when we won.

“People were saying we had no chance against Real Madrid but that gave us motivation.

“When you don't play a lot and a manager gives you a chance to show what you can do you give everything you have got.

“That is what happened and that's the way we need to play in every game now. We all showed the manager we will fight.”

With Basel beating Ludogorets 4-0, the Reds remain third in Group B of the Champions League and will need to win their final two games if they are going to qualify for the last 16.

“We are still in there,” Toure said.

“We will do everything to win those last two games and get through to the next round.

“I definitely believe we can do it. If we play with our quality and our heart then we will win those matches.”

Brendan Rodgers and his squad stayed in Madrid on Tuesday night and will train in the Spanish capital on Wednesday before flying back to Merseyside.