Though the Reds let control of the Premier League title race slip through their fingers, their manager wants to ensure that they focus on their triumphs

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has urged his side not to forget their “remarkable” season and wallow in their defeat to Chelsea.

The Reds have mounted an unexpected charge for the Premier League title this season but lost control of the race when they were beaten 2-0 on Sunday, allowing Manchester City back into the picture.

With games against Crystal Palace and Newcastle to come before the campaign is over, Rodgers says that he has reminded his squad of their achievements so far to avoid dwelling on the setback at Anfield.

“I just reminded the players of the values of how we work,” he told the press. “We have a way of working and I take pride in that. We might not have got the result [against Chelsea] but you have seen over the course of the season we have made great strides and we will continue to.

“At the start of the season, people saw it was a real challenge for us to be in the top four so, with two games to go, to be in the top three, really, really challenging, it’s something that is really remarkable.

“But I’m not surprised, because of how we have worked and level the players have performed at. The games we won on our unbeaten run were exceptional, we were outstanding, and I have reminded them of that.”

While table-toppers Liverpool have the league’s best attack with 96 goals, they have conceded 46 times – the worst record of the top five – but Rodgers says that he has been delighted with Simon Mignolet in his first season as the club’s goalkeeper.

The Northern Irishman told the Liverpool Echo: “I’ve been delighted with Simon since he has come in.

“I think he’s an outstanding goalkeeper who is only going to get better and better. He has come into a huge club and replaced a legendary figure at the club in Pepe Reina.

“That was always going to take a bit of time but, over the course of the season, he has made a big contribution. I don’t forget the significance of some of the saves he has made. Simon hasn’t ever cost us a game but he has certainly gained us points. He’s an excellent goalkeeper.”