Pep Lijnders insists his overriding feeling is one of pride after Liverpool's 2-2 draw at Chelsea.
The Reds went into the game without Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker or Joel Matip after the trio returned what are suspected to be positive COVID-19 tests earlier this week.
They joined manager Jurgen Klopp in undertaking a period of isolation for the game and the visitors were also unable to call on the injured Thiago Alcantara, Divock Origi, Takumi Minamino and Harvey Elliott for a game where Andy Robertson was suspended.
Goals from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah had given Liverpool a commanding lead but two quick-fire efforts from Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic made it 2-2 at the break.
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Lijnders, who filled in for Klopp in the dugout, said a COVID-hit squad were refusing to make excuses following the point at Stamford Bridge.
"We needed to control the game better," Lijnders said. "We had moments already before the 2-0.
"We were lethal in our counters and in the moments we played, we really connected well, we were quick of mind and made the next pass to open up spaces really well in the whole game.
"Sometimes it was the last pass or we needed better movement in behind to create even more.
"I can speak a lot about tactics and a lot of things, but for me, [the feeling] is pride.
"Pride because we could have made a lot of excuses and the team could have come here with a lot of excuses but they fought with all they have and in the end, a draw away at Chelsea is always a good result.
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"It is just that we could have avoided it and played more football more often in their half and they wouldn't have had more chances, so we could have avoided this."
The Reds assistant added: "I think defensively we corrected a few things at times, but the problem was we didn't keep the ball for long enough when we went 2-0 up or in their half because that is the moment they have to push their wing-backs in when we can really progress with the ball.
"This balance was not right but again, it's like I said, you can always do better when you draw, but we are happy with what we have and it was a positive point in a very difficult situation."
