Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders insists the Reds deserve credit for their determination in challenging circumstances following the 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.
The visitors claimed a share of the spoils after an entertaining encounter at Stamford Bridge, despite the hosts recovering from 2-0 down before half-time.
Lijnders took charge of the 2019-20 Premier League champions in the absence of manager Jurgen Klopp, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday.
Alisson, Roberto Firmino and Joel Matip also missed the trip to London for the same reason, while Andrew Robertson was suspended.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane – who both netted for the Reds – were playing their final match before linking up with Egypt and Senegal respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations.
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And Lijnders hailed the character demonstrated by his players.
It is never boring with us. [There was] incredible intensity from the start with both teams, he told Sky Sports.
We would have wanted more control. We had so many good counter-attacks, but it was just missing the last pass.
Overall, for the public, it must have been an unbelievable game. The situation we are in, it is a big compliment for the team. We could have made a lot of excuses for today, but our boys fought hard with all the heart they have.
We want to approach each game like it is a final. In each game we play, whoever is wearing the shirt or on the bench, we are showing this character.
Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson concurred that his team-mates can be proud of their efforts against the Blues.
Chelsea are a good team, and we gave it everything, he told Match of the Day. The lads showed heart in defending and nearly got the reward towards the end on the counter-attack.
We are disappointed with the two goals close to half-time.
We reacted the right way in the second half; we dug in, defended well as a team and on another day, we might have found a winner.
Stamford Bridge is always a difficult place to come, so we take a point and move on.
