Brendan Rodgers has hit back at Gary Lineker after the former England international criticised Liverpool's team selection against Real Madrid last night.
The Reds boss made seven changes to his side for the trip to face the Champions League holders at the Bernabeu, with Karim Benzema's first-half goal proving the difference in a 1-0 defeat.
Lineker claimed ahead of the game that the starting lineup was "unbefitting of a club of Liverpool's European stature", although Rodgers later defended his stance to make mass changes to the side that lost at Newcastle United last weekend.
"Gary's a figure who I respect and he's been a top player in his day," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Star. "But he has never been a manager, so he does not know what you're up against with planning and training.
"This was far from us throwing in the white towel. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in every one of his last 12 games, so my players put in a performance that did befit this club.
"In terms of my team selection, I'm not really bothered [about the criticism]. I go with my gut feeling and my gut feeling was that the performance on Saturday was not good enough.
Liverpool, who are currently third in Group B, return to Premier League action on Saturday when they host Chelsea at Anfield.
Daniel Lewis
