Brendan Rodgers does not blame Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel for the costly error which allowed Manchester City to equalise in the 2-2 draw at Anfield.
The Slovakian played a weak backpass towards Pepe Reina which City striker Carlos Tevez pounced on and slotted home for the leveller.
However, new Liverpool chief Rodgers was delighted with his side and refused to blame his goalscoring centre-back for the final error, instead hailing him for his "courage".
"There's no blame to Martin Skrtel, I'd rather have players wanting to get on to the ball," he told Sky Sports.
"The courage he has to get on the football and try to play is what is the most important thing."
The match saw starts for teenager Raheem Sterling and former Swansea midfielder Joe Allen - with both additions pleasing Rodgers who labelled their performances as "phenomenal".
On the game, he said: "It was a brilliant performance I thought. There were a lot of questions asked of the team and coming into such a big game but I thought the players were incredible and sometimes the best team doesn't win, and I think we were the better team.
"What I've seen today and last week was a one-off and today I thought they were terrific.
"The plan was going perfect but then I thought tactically the ability to press at the right time and to drop off and to block was very good. I'm very, very proud of the team."
Rodgers is also looking to add to his squad alongside loan star Nuri Sahin.
He added: "I just think the players need some help. Obviously we lost a lot of players in the summer and we've only replaced what went out and not even that.
"The squad is a bit shallow, there's absolutely no doubt about that but we need to get a few in just to help the players that are here."
