Hodgson defends Speroni after error

Veteran goalkeeper Speroni made a crucial error for Liverpool's third goal, which enabled the hosts to retake the lead. The 39 year-old tipped the ball behind himself, allowing Mohamed Salah to poke the ball into an empty net.

Hodgson described the goal as the "the cruelty of football showing itself as its absolute most wicked."

He went on to say "There aren't many better club servants than Julian Speroni at any football club in the world. For him to make that kind of mistake was really unfortunate and put Liverpool undeservedly back in the lead. We've got to consider ourselves hard done by in that respect."

The match finished 4-3 to Liverpool, and Hodgson says his side endured more than their fair share of bad fortune.

"The first one is a shot from 45 yards that loops in the air and Mohamed Salah can touch it past the goalkeeper. The second goal takes a deflection and the fourth shouldn't be allowed because there's a clear handball.

"I thought we played extremely well and I'm proud of the performance, I'm disappointed for the boys that they've got nothing to show for their efforts."