Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that his side deserved to finish as Group A winners in the Europa League following their 1-0 victory over Udinese.

Jordan Henderson scored the only goal of the game, giving the Reds the three points they needed to progress to the next phase.

"There was no margin for error tonight, I felt we had to win the game because we were in a difficult group against good teams," BBC Sport quotes Rodgers as saying.

"Over the course of all the games, how we have played and progressed through the tournament I think we are deserved winners of the group.

"We can rest well, focus on the league and look forward to next February."

Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala also qualified from Group A as runners-up, with Swiss outfit Young Boys crashing out of the competition.

Written by
Mark Langshaw