text: Brendan Rodgers admitted Liverpool’s big-game mentality must improve after his hopes of winning the FA Cup were left in tatters. The Liverpool manager had no complaints about their 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa — their first loss in an FA Cup semi-final since 1990 — and accepted his side have to do better in the most important games. Since beating Manchester City on April 13 last year when they were in the thick of the title race, Liverpool’s record in must-win games has been lamentable. Aston Villa captain Fabian Delph shoots past Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to put his side in the lead . Aston Villa players chase goalscorer Delph after the England midfielder made it 2-1 with 36 minutes to play . Even though they took the lead with a well-worked goal by Philippe Coutinho (right) in the 30th minute, Liverpool never gave the impression they would give Steven Gerrard a dream date in the final on his 35th birthday and their lame performance left Rodgers shattered. He said: ‘We’ve come up short in a few games, that’s something we’d certainly need to improve. But I think all these experiences will make them better. ‘We’re a team that’s grown and changed quite a bit in the summer. ‘We’re obviously bitterly disappointed, more with the performance. I thought we were second best, to be honest. We had some chances but Aston Villa were better than us. Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is mobbed by his team-mates after opening the scoring . Coutinho lifts his shirt after putting Brendan Rodgers' side in the lead following a fine run and finish . Coutinho spreads his arms out wide after scoring his seventh goal of the campaign . ‘In a semi-final, in a one-off game you don’t have a second chance and I know the players well enough to gauge whether we are getting the flow of our game and we weren’t. ‘You’ve got to give credit to Aston Villa, but I always look at my own team; that movement and sharpness was missing.’ Manchester City heaped more misery on Liverpool — their 2-0 win over West Ham damages the Reds’ chances of finishing in the top four. Belgium international Christian Benteke is congratulated by Aston Villa team-mate Delph after his goal . Benteke leaps in the air after levelling the scoreline at Wembley Stadium by hitting the back of the net . Rodgers, whose side have a game in hand, conceded that it will be a tall order but made it clear they have a duty to approach their final six fixtures with professionalism. ‘There’s an obligation here to fight till the very end,’ Rodgers added. ‘We’ve come close now in two competitions but failed to make the steps. Steven Gerrard almost snatched a dramatic equaliser with four minutes left, but his header was cleared . Rodgers shouts instructions at his players, but to no avail as Liverpool slump to defeat at Wembley . ‘There will be disappointment over the next few days but we now have to get ready for our next league game. ‘This last block of games it’s more the performance level hasn’t been what we would like. ‘We need to have the courage and bravery to play better in the big games. ‘We looked as if the occasion and the energy got to us a wee bit. But that’s what can happen sometimes.’ Rodgers is the first Liverpool manager since 1956-1959 not to win a trophy in his first three seasons . Liverpool captain Gerrard sinks to his knees after seeing his side fall to a 2-1 defeat at Wembley Stadium . Gerrard leaves the pitch following his side's 2-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat by Villa .
target: Brendan Rodgers believes his side must improve their big-game mentality .
  Liverpool crashed to defeat at Wembley despite taking a first-half lead .
  Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph struck to send Aston Villa through .
  The FA Cup semi-final defeat to Aston Villa was their first since 1990 .