Frustrating we didn’t have Boyata
Boyata’s agent Jacques Lichtenstein was quoted earlier in the week as saying that as his client is in the final year of his contract, he could not risk playing when not 100 per cent fit.
Rodgers, who was also without suspended defender Kristoffer Ajer, said: “Yes, we were obviously missing our two best centre halves this evening unfortunately.
“My concentration really until I get back is only with the play- ers that are here.” Asked if he felt frustrated on a night where defensive inadequacies proved costly, he added: “Yes, of course. He has been with us on the journey now for a couple of years and helped us get to this position and of course, someone of his quality, a World Cup semi-finalist in our team, would certainly have helped.
“But he wasn’t here and we look at the performance without him and I can’t think any more than that.”
Rodgers admitted it was “very difficult” to get his head around his side’s defending.
He said: “We conceded a soft goal against Livingston and Alashkert and against Hearts we gave away a goal.
“But we will go away and work with the players we have, try to improve and make them better.
“I always say you shouldn’t have to lose to learn but when you do lose you have to learn so that is our message and we get back to the training field and try