Joe Gomez believes Liverpool “made a bit of a statement” to Manchester City at Wembley despite losing the Community Shield.
The Reds were beaten 5-4 on penalties after a thrilling 1-1 draw between the sides on Sunday.
Raheem Sterling scored his first goal against his former club to give City the lead after 12 minutes but Liverpool deservedly levelled through substitute Joel Matip 13 minutes from time.
Jurgen Klopp's side hit the woodwork three times while Mohamed Salah had a shot cleared off the line late on in a second half Liverpool dominated.
And Gomez said: “At the end of the day, it’s silverware, we wanted to win it – but I think we made a bit of a statement that we are here to compete this year and we want to be on them and be above them.
“The gaffer just made the point (at half-time) about keeping better possession and getting out better because we thought they were doing it better than us.
“Obviously when you are coming in off pre-season, it is a step up and I suppose it did take us a little while to get going. But I think we played well and we definitely could have won the game.”
Gomez added: “They probably had the better of us in the first half and we knew that. In the second half, we came out and changed the game I think.
“We were doing all the right things and we had some good chances, so it’s frustrating. Obviously our chance at the end, it’s unfortunate and credit to (Kyle) Walker with good athleticism. But penalties are penalties and it can go either way.”
Gomez was preferred to Matip at the start to partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, with the duo now competing for the role for the Premier League opener at home to Norwich City on Friday.
And the defender said: “I’m really looking forward to it. I just want to play football freely.
“To be back is nice and I’ve just got to take each game as it comes and try and do my best to help the team.
“We have a big squad and a team full of quality, so we all want to bring our bit to the table and try and go all the way this year.”
