I'm the one to blame for Hull defeat, says Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers

'I am responsible because I pick the team,' said Brendan Rodgers about Liverpool's defeat at Hull (Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers says he accepts full blame for Liverpool's surprise defeat at Hull but has also called on his players to assume greater responsibility.

Sunday's 3-1 loss at the KC Stadium – the first to the Tigers in the Merseyside club's history – was disappointing not only because of the result but also in terms of performance. With nine-goal striker Daniel Sturridge injured and playmaker Philippe Coutinho only fit enough for a place on the bench, Liverpool struggled to pose much of a threat while also looking far from comfortable at the back.

Rodgers stressed he is the one who should ultimately be held accountable but added that there needs to be greater contributions across the squad. "It was painful, that was the overriding feeling," said the Liverpool manager. "Probably more the performance disappointed us because when you perform how we did we didn't deserve to get anything from it.

"In the main our form has been very good so I can't criticise the players too much and if there was anyone to blame, blame me as the manager. When we lose a game we all get criticised but the criticism has to come to the manager, I am responsible because I pick the team.

"I will always demand the best. We are not here to be great losers, we are here to win. The responsibility falls on everyone to keep up our performance level."

Having scored seven goals in their previous two matches, Liverpool managed just nine shots, only four of which were on target, despite dominating possession against Steve Bruce's side. Fortunately for Rodgers, Coutinho has been declared fit for Wednesday's home game against Norwich but even so the manager still expects more from others.

"Coutinho allows you to penetrate – I think that was one of the things that was missing from our performance," he added.