Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers praised his side's late response in Sunday's defeat at Manchester United, despite a poor first half performance.
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The Merseysiders travelled to Old Trafford hoping to get one over their old foe, but it was the hosts who were the more assured outfit from the opening whistle.
Robin van Persie gave United the lead in the 19th minute, with Patrice Evra then making it 2-0 nine minutes after the break as the Red Devils looked to kick on.
But the introduction of new Reds signing Daniel Sturridge off the bench gave the visitors the boost they needed with the striker firing past David De Gea in the 63rd minute.
The former Chelsea hitman could have made it 2-2 had he not squandered a chance late on when he fired over from close range.
However, Rodgers believes a lacklustre opening 45 minutes from his troops proved the most costly.
"I felt we were too tentative in the first half - but you can understand with young players playing here," he said.
"There wasn't much in the first half but any chances they had were through us giving the ball away.
"I said before we went out that when you play a rival - and this rivalry is massive - you need courage and you need to have belief.
"We wanted to pass the ball, which is great, but it has to be aggressive and we presented them with the ball and three opportunities just by being tentative.
Having employed a rather inexperienced starting XI, with young right-back Andre Wisdom in particular overwhelmed, Rodgers was still proud of the Reds' late rally.
He added: "I am very proud of the fight of the team in the second half having gone 2-0 down.
"Teams who come here often crumble but I thought by the end we deserved something to be honest.
"We know in terms of the points we are 24 behind (United) but we are not 24 points behind in quality.
"The points difference is due to the squad and that is the difference for us, the depth of the squad.
"Once we close the gap in the squad over the coming transfer windows I have great faith we will be able to challenge and I have seen enough hope in these opening months that we will do that."
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