Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has said that he was "very happy" with his side's 1-0 win over FC Gomel in the Europa League this evening.

Stewart Downing scored the only goal of the game to give Liverpool a slender aggregate lead over the Belarusian side in Rodgers's first competitive game in charge of the Reds.

Rodgers hailed his side's desire and commitment after the match, but admitted that it will take time to employ the same style of football as he did at Swansea City.

"It will take time until Liverpool start playing the way Swansea did last season," he said. "Actually the way you play depends on the players you have.

"As for today I saw two things which were very important for me, I saw desire and commitment. I am very grateful to my players for a good game. Obviously it was a serious test of the players' fitness and I am really happy with the result.

"This was my first competitive game in charge of Liverpool and for me it didn't really matter whether the game was played in Belarus or Brazil as I am really honoured to manage this side."

Liverpool will face Gomel in the second leg of their third qualifying round at Anfield in a week's time.