BOSS Eddie Howe insisted his Cherries players should “hold their heads up high” following the 1-0 League Cup defeat at Liverpool.

A 17th-minute strike from England international Nathaniel Clyne was enough to deny the visitors a place in the quarter-finals – the stage Howe's men reached last season.

Liverpool were pushed hard by a Cherries side that created a number of presentable chances, with Junior Stanislas and Matt Ritchie among those to significantly stretch keeper Adam Bogdan.

And Howe admitted he would take heart from the display against the Reds, who ended Cherries’ record-breaking League Cup run last term.

Reflecting on the game in the wake of heavy Premier League defeats to Manchester City and Tottenham, Howe told the Daily Echo: “When you look at the previous two games that we’ve had, to come here and perform in the manner that we did was a positive.

“Although we’re really disappointed and I never want the players to taste defeat, there are certain ways to lose and I think that today we can hold our heads up high.

“I thought we were well in the game. We started very well and Junior had an early chance and it could have been different if that had gone in.

“I felt we had numerous other chances in the first half and I didn’t really see their goal coming, if I’m honest.

“We plugged away in the second half but it was more difficult to break them down.

“We found chances harder to come by but I always felt there was one moment that could swing the game back into life from our perspective. Unfortunately, it didn’t come.”

Howe handed Harry Arter his first start of the season following the midfielder’s return from a nagging groin problem.

The Republic of Ireland international was a lively presence throughout his 71 minutes on the field, while the likes of midfielder Stanislas and striker Yann Kermorgant, who have featured little in the Premier League this season, also impressed.

Howe added: “The return of Harry Arter was a massive boost for everyone connected with the club, as was the inclusion of a number of players who haven’t played a lot of football.

“They did their chances of further game time no harm at all.”