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Rodgers hails performance of his young boys in Bern

Jonjo Shelvey was praised by Brendan Rodgers © Getty Images

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his pride at the performance of his youngsters on Thursday, as an inexperienced Reds side defeated Young Boys 5-3 in Bern.

Two late goals from substitute Jonjo Shelvey proved the difference for the Premier League side, in a game that was marked by questionable defending throughout.

While aware that there were improvements to be made at the back, Rodgers expressed his delight at the performance shown from a team that included the likes of Andre Wisdom, Suso and Dani Pacheco.

"We have come away with a young team into a European game and I want to talk about the five goals we scored which were absolutely magnificent," said Rodgers. "Of course we could have defended better and there is no question the three goals we gave away were disappointing.

"But to draw positives from tonight the young players were so courageous and brave to play and show that confidence, and my senior players were very much together and kept the young guys going.

"All round it was very pleasing. It was a chance for the young players to seize that opportunity to play and I think they did that for sure.

"We need to be better in certain areas but I think it is a night of great pride for the club and certainly me as a manager.

"To play like we did and get the goals we did was quite fantastic."

Rodgers singled out Shelvey for special praise, revealing his belief that the ex-Charlton midfielder can become a major player for the club.

"I felt it was the time of the game we needed him really," he said of Shelvey's introduction. "It worked well for us because once we got the equaliser they went to more 4-4-2, it gave us the extra man in midfield and we were able to dominate that bit more.

"He has been outstanding. He is still only 20 years of age and is developing and growing all the time and you saw his confidence when he came.

"The [first] goal we worked it very well and he did what he can do very well and I think he will be a big player for Liverpool."

However, Young Boys boss Martin Rueda was left frustrated after seeing his side squander a good chance to take a significant scalp.

"Of course it was a bitter end and it is a pity but when you make that many mistakes - we gave away four goals - there was not much we can do despite scoring three against them," he said. "We made too many individual mistakes and that cost us the match."

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