Daniel Agger: Spurs defeat just wasn't good enough - Liverpool FC latest

Agger said: "If you see the goals it was the same problem every time and they speak for themselves. We conceded four bad goals and you cannot expect to do that and still get anything out of a game.

"We improved in the second half but we knew it could only go one way as we couldn't play as badly as we did in the first half.

"Right now it's difficult to take any positives at all. That just wasn't good enough. We have to do better than this otherwise we won't achieve anything this season."

Agger dismissed the idea that with the Reds going well in the Premier League and in Europe, the Carling Cup was nothing more than an unwelcome distraction.

"For some players this is a very important competition," he insisted.

"We have a big squad and the more games we can have the better it is for us.

"Not going any further than the fourth round this season is very annoying."

The 23-year-old, who was the only survivor from the starting line-up who beat West Brom 3-0 in the Premier League last weekend, admits there is little time for the Reds to dwell on last night's defeat as they prepare for Saturday's lunchtime clash against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

"The mood wasn't the best in the squad after the game but we have to put this behind us quickly," he said."Bolton are a strong, physical team and it's another difficult game for us.

"We can't perform like this on Saturday because if we do then we will lose."

james.pearce@liverpool.com