Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel admits that losing on penalties is always disappointing, but has stressed that the Reds need to forget their European nightmare and focus on the game against Manchester City this weekend.
Tolgay Arslan’s curling shot nestled into Simon Mignolet’s top right hand corner in the 72nd minute to allow Besiktas to level the scores in their Europa League last 16 tie and the match finally went to penalties.
After every player from both teams converted their penalties with the scoreline at 5-4, Dejan Lovren was tasked with the responsibility of keeping Liverpool in the tie – but he shot over the bar and the Reds were knocked out of the competition.
The Croat’s defensive partner, Skrtel, admits that after playing well for the duration of the match, it was difficult to accept a fate like that and said that losing on penalties always hurts.
“Obviously we are disappointed”, Skrtel told LFC TV.
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“To spend 120 minutes playing like that and then lose on penalties is disappointing.”
However, the defender stressed that Liverpool have no time to feel bad about themselves as they have a big game against Manchester City at home on Sunday.
He added that they need to forget their disappointment at the Ataturk Stadium and start shifting their focus on the English champions’ visit to Anfield.
“But we have to forget about this because in two days time we have a big game and we have to focus on that.
“From tomorrow, we have to start thinking about the next game and start focusing on it to play well again.”
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