Jurgen Klopp has hailed Liverpool’s loss to Barcelona as their best Champions League performance under him.
A 3-0 reversal leaves the Reds with a mountain to climb in next Tuesday’s return leg at Anfield if they are to reach the final of Europe’s elite club competition.
Lionel Messi scored twice and Luis Suarez found the target against his former club in a game which was underpinned by poor finishing from the visitors.
Liverpool spurned a number of chances across the entire game, with Mohamed Salah’s shot against the post late on among the more gilt-edged opportunities.
But Klopp believes that his side produced a performance at the Nou Camp which he regards as one of their best over the previous two seasons.
He said: “I am not sure if we deserved a lot more than we got.
“We played a really good game but in the end they scored three and we didn’t score.
“As a manager, what I judge on is how we played. I am completely happy and proud of the boys, it was the best Champions League game we played not only this year but last year as well.
“How we defended, how brave we were in these situations, how we were when we got the ball.
“We were not always brilliant but we controlled the game in moments and created. Maybe not constantly chances but we had moments.
“No one will be interested but a few football nerds because it is about the result and we lost 3-0, but I can work really good with this game.
“I will use it for ever to show the boys what is possible. It was a brave performance, very passionate, very lively. I liked the game but it doesn’t really help.”