Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has slammed his side after they were surprisingly knocked out of the FA Cup in the fourth round following a shock 3-2 loss to third tier strugglers Oldham.
The Reds had an afternoon to forget, despite fielding first-team players such Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Fabio Borini and Raheem Sterling, after Matt Smith’s double guided the Latics to a stunning triumph.
“We are bitterly disappointed. We started the first half poorly and we started the second half and got punished,” Rodgers said.
“We’ve got a big week of games but our mentality in that opening period was poor and it ended up costing us. I was disappointed with the young players today I’ve got to be honest.
“We are trying to give them experience and let them see what it was like to play for Liverpool. It is not just about playing for Liverpool, you have to be competitive and be part of a group that is going to challenge for trophies.
“I thought how we reacted to that and how we performed, knowing that is what we are looking for, was disappointing.
“It is not enough to play for Liverpool and get up for the Arsenal and Manchester City games (later this week) because if we are going to win trophies you need to be able to come to places like Oldham and win and we weren’t good enough for that.”