Intro:

Managers Brendan Rodgers and Steve Clarke gave their verdicts after West Bromwich Albion beat Liverpool 3-0 on the opening day of the English Premier League on Saturday

Script:

"So from virtually controlling most of the game in the first half, we found ourselves 1-0 down. Then obviously in the second half, the penalties were.... I'm not going to go on about referees and what not. I thought the two decisions were very, very harsh. Or three if you include the sending off (Daniel Agger's red card dismissal). I don't think either are a penalty, if you see them again on the replay, you'll see that. Very, very harsh. Martin Skrtel doesn't even connect with Shane (Long) and obviously the first one his (Shane Long's) pace has virtually got him in front (of Daniel Agger). There is slight contact. I know Shane Long well and I know how big and strong he is so, I thought it was very, very harsh. Then with ten men, chasing the game, it becomes difficult."

"Like I said, we conceded the penalty, of course, and then the sending off kills you really. Especially a new team that's coming together, in terms of the structure and idea. But I've got to give big credit to the players. They ran to a standstill today and even though days like that hurt, and there will be other days like that."

"Yes I think so. I think the performance today showed that these players are comfortable in the Premier League. They've been there for two seasons, they finished mid-table both seasons. They know they can handle themselves in the league. So I wasn't worried about the game. I knew it was a good game for us to start, and I thought there was more pressure on Liverpool than us and that proved to be the case. But I was really pleased with the way we played."

"The decisions went for us today. On another weekend they might not go for us. I thought on both of them there was contact. Shane (Long) is an honest boy. I think if you see after the first one (penalty decision) with Daniel Agger, he tried to get his shot away. So the referee made the call. I think there was a little contact. I haven't seen it.... replay, replay and replay so you'll have to tell me more on that one if you've got something else. The second one (penalty decision) was a foul. He (Long) nicked in behind Martin Skrtel and he got brought down in the box. It was a foul, so I thought it was a penalty."