Gus Poyet was proud of Albion's second-half performance as they tested Liverpool tonight.

The Seagulls went down 2-1 after Ashley Barnes' late penalty gave them hope.

Albion were outclassed in the first period but took the game to Liverpool after the break.

Poyet said: "In the second half I thought it was a very, very good performance.

"We left everything in the dressing room at half-time.

"We said 'forget it, we're playing football at home, we need to go out there and do our best'.

"We were good on the ball, we were quite aggressive, we created a few chances and it was the Brighton I like to see week in and week out."

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard admitted he was delighted with his comeback from injury - and would not have minded 30 more minutes.

The England star said: "I thought in the first half we were fantastic.

"We could have had the game dead and buried.

"But you always know the opposition are going to have a spell of pressure.

"They've got a fantastic team here, they play well and they will probably feel hard done by that they didn't take us to extra-time.

"Extra-time wouldn't have been the end of the world. I'd have got another 30 minutes!"