Kenny Dalglish admits a shortage of creativity led to Liverpool's UEFA Europa League exit against Braga on Thursday night.
The Reds were already trailing the Portuguese club 1-0 after a last-16 first-leg defeat last week, and they failed to overturn that deficit at Anfield as Braga held them to a goalless draw.
Dalglish feels luck and inspiration were the missing factors as his side saw their European ambitions brought to a grinding halt.
"You need to be strong creatively if you are going to break down a really organised side. Or you need a bit of luck," said Dalglish.
"We certainly didn't have much fortune over the two legs but I suppose everyone would say the same thing.
"Like every other team in the world we could use a bit more creativity but we are no different to anyone else."
Liverpool's record-signing Andy Carroll made his first start for the club after shrugging off a hamstring injury which has hindered his start to life on Merseyside.
The former Newcastle striker failed to open his Reds account, but Dalglish insists he was satisfied with his display.
Necessity
He said: "He stayed on longer than we hoped he'd have to stay on. Necessity meant he had to stay on the pitch because we needed to score a goal.
"He has tremendous assets and we need to learn how to get the best out of him. We've also got assets that he has to learn, so he can get the best out of us.
"Overall we are pleased to see him back on the pitch. We weren't disappointed with his contribution in any way.
"He was a bit unfortunate he didn't score a goal. He had a header in the first half that was just wide and in the second half another one where Dirk Kuyt got in the way.
"It was his first start and he can be very pleased with how he played."
The Reds were already trailing the Portuguese club 1-0 after a last-16 first-leg defeat last week, and they failed to overturn that deficit at Anfield as Braga held them to a goalless draw.
Dalglish feels luck and inspiration were the missing factors as his side saw their European ambitions brought to a grinding halt.
"You need to be strong creatively if you are going to break down a really organised side. Or you need a bit of luck," said Dalglish.
"We certainly didn't have much fortune over the two legs but I suppose everyone would say the same thing.
"Like every other team in the world we could use a bit more creativity but we are no different to anyone else."
Liverpool's record-signing Andy Carroll made his first start for the club after shrugging off a hamstring injury which has hindered his start to life on Merseyside.
The former Newcastle striker failed to open his Reds account, but Dalglish insists he was satisfied with his display.
Necessity
He said: "He stayed on longer than we hoped he'd have to stay on. Necessity meant he had to stay on the pitch because we needed to score a goal.
"He has tremendous assets and we need to learn how to get the best out of him. We've also got assets that he has to learn, so he can get the best out of us.
"Overall we are pleased to see him back on the pitch. We weren't disappointed with his contribution in any way.
"He was a bit unfortunate he didn't score a goal. He had a header in the first half that was just wide and in the second half another one where Dirk Kuyt got in the way.
"It was his first start and he can be very pleased with how he played."
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