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Hughes: Reds taught us a lesson

06/10/2008

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has admitted his players were taught "a harsh lesson" by Liverpool in what it takes to compete with the best teams.

Despite harbouring thoughts of breaking into the Premier League's top four this season after the arrival of new big-money owners in the shape of Abu Dhabi United Group in the summer, the former Blackburn Rovers boss believes there is still plenty of work to do to reach that level.

After watching his side take a 2-0 lead against the Reds at Eastlands, Hughes' men were undone by three second-half goals - including a late winner from Dirk Kuyt - as the visitors took the spoils.

But rather than criticise his players for throwing away their early advantage, the manager said it was important to "take the positives" from the game.

"In the first half, it was as good as we have played this season – we more than deserved our lead," he said.

"But it was a harsh lesson and we will have to learn from it."

Ultimately City were undone by some slack marking and the sending off of midfielder Pablo Zabaleta for a poorly timed tackle on Xabi Alonso.

And Hughes added: "The sending off changed the game and made it even more difficult for us."