Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard was left upset with failure to defeat Manchester United yesterday.

Gerrard admitted he was doubly disappointed to lose to United on a day when there was so much focus on recognising the work of the families of victims of the Hillsborough disaster at the club's first home match since the publication of the independent report which exonerated supporters of any blame in the 1989 tragedy which claimed 96 lives.

"Playing against Manchester United and trying to get three points means a lot to me," said Gerrard, whose 10-year-old cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley was the youngest victim at Hillsborough.

"But because of the occasion and the timing of course I'd have loved nothing better to get three points and dedicate it to all the families.

"So there is an extra disappointment but I thought both sets of fans behaved really well, which was important.

"Although we got beat I feel slightly different to usual because I am really pleased with how we played and we will win a lot of matches playing worse than that, so that is the positive we will take away."