Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers praised the courage of defender Martin Skrtel despite an error that enabled Manchester City to equalise in his side's 2-2 draw at Anfield.

Skrtel had a mixed afternoon after putting his side ahead in the first half with a bullet header that inspired a strong performance from the hosts.

However, after Luis Suarez had restored Liverpool's lead with a curling free-kick following Yaya Toure's equaliser, Skrtel put Carlos Tevez in on goal with a blind back-pass that the Argentinian finished expertly to seal a point for the visitors.

But Rodgers would not point the finger at the Slovakian international when interviewed after the game. Indeed he praised the defender's bravery.

"Sometimes the best team doesn't win and I think we were the better team"
Brendan Rodgers

"There's no blame to Martin Skrtel, I'd rather have players wanting to get on to the ball," Rodgers told Sky Sports. "The courage he has to get on the football and try to play is what is the most important thing."

Rodgers cut an upbeat figure after a stirring performance from his side which contrasted markedly from the 3-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion in his first Barclays Premier League game in charge of the Reds.

The former Swansea tactician was rewarded by a fine display from 17-year-old Raheem Sterling on his full debut for the club and he also hailed midfielder Joe Allen's performance on his first home outing at Anfield as "phenomenal".

"It was a brilliant performance, I thought," he added. "There were a lot of questions asked of the team coming into such a big game but I thought the players were incredible and sometimes the best team doesn't win, and I think we were the better team.

"What I've seen today and last week was a one-off and today I thought they were terrific.

"The plan was going perfect but then I thought tactically the ability to press at the right time and to drop off and to block was very good. I'm very, very proud of the team."