Thank you for joining us. That was exciting, but sadly not the result England wanted.

You can read Steve Sutcliffe's match report here, and we will be back next week with coverage of the third and final Test. See you then.

Image source, Getty Images

Jodie Cunningham
England women's captain on BBC One

England can break Australia down and they have shown that. But England have not been able to do that for 80 minutes. They can take this into next year at the World Cup as they're not that far off.

Kevin Brown
Former England international on BBC One

Subconsciously we don't believe at the moment.

Even Shaun Wane, I listened to something he said, "We need 15 to 16 of our players to have their best game ever."

That is almost like saying we need a miracle. These lads cannot just turn it on.

We were so close. We are talking like we were miles off, but we're not that far off.

I think it is between the ears.

Image source, SWpix

Sam Burgess
Former England captain on BBC One

It comes down to belief.

Me and Kevin Brown played in the World Cup final in 2017 in Brisbane and there was belief between the group. That was built over time.

We always felt we were going to win the game, but we didn't get there. We are looking here for small margins.

Deflation comes from everyone in the stadium and the players feel that energy.

England

George Williams, England captain, speaking to BBC One about the importance of avoiding a 3-0 series defeat: "Yeah, that'd be embarrassing. We've spoken a lot about how we've improved and how we're getting better. We've seen in for 40 minutes but not a full performance. We have some down lads in there but we'll reconnect and go again."

England

George Williams, England captain, speaking to BBC One: "I don't think we started the second half well at all, and Australia scored two tries and that's the game. Really disappointed. We showed improvements in the first half but it's not good enough at this level.

"I don't think our shape was too effective at the end. We had tried bodies and were just going through the motions with our shape. It wasn't very direct. A spirited performance but not good enough at this level.

"In the second half, once they got a roll-on, we probably showed them a bit too much respect. Really disappointing. We'll review the game in the morning, and we've got to get some pride back and get riled up again."

Image source, Getty Images

Sam Burgess
Former England captain on BBC One

There was a lot of long passes from England. It makes it too easy for the defenders to map off and make cover tackles.

Jodie Cunningham
England women's captain on BBC One

Things weren't going right for Australia in the first half, but they backed their defence.

When you're England and you've had that much possession, they were playing well, but when you don't take chances it can be difficult then when you concede.

Kevin Brown
Former England international on BBC One

England almost looked like they got bored of what was working and tried to open them up too soon in the wrong areas of the field.

Image source, Getty Images

Sam Burgess
Former England captain on BBC iPlayer

A lot of these guys play together at club level. They have a lot of combinations with each other. It felt interesting that both weeks we have been slow in the second half. I wonder if that is something they might change going into the third Test.

So, there will only be pride to play for at Headingley next week. If England play like they did in the first half in Liverpool, they have a chance - but they must take their chances.

It should still be a good atmosphere in Leeds, at the only dedicated rugby league stadium to host a match in these Ashes. Perhaps that scheduling choice was inspired after all?

England

England head coach Shaun Wane, speaking to BBC One: "We got beat. Some improvements.

"End of the day, they won the Ashes and we didn't. Really disappointing. I thought we had a hold of the game at times, but it wasn't enough against a really good team.

"We didn't have that killer instinct at their end, but we created a lot. Big improvements, but not enough killer instinct to finish of our sets in a really good way.

"I thought we did a lot go good things. We asked a lot of questions of them. We started the second half poorly and they punished us. A lesson learnt, but it is a tough lesson to learn.

"We need to play really well for 80 minutes - we didn't do that sadly. We need to learn to grind it out set after set against a really good team."

On the NRL being a strong standard: "It is a fantastic competition, but the Super League is a great competition, but something we need to make better. We need to find ways of making it better. At the minute, I'm not thinking about that I'm thinking about that second half and getting ready for next week.

"The players will be wounded because they knew that one got away from us."

Image source, Getty Images

Sam Burgess
Former England captain on BBC One

We needed to be brave. The first 10 minutes of the second half were going to important and we made an error on the left edge and they took points straight away. It deflated us a little bit.

Jodie Cunningham
England women's captain on BBC One

Soon as Australia got a chance, it was two fairly easy tries. It was deflating in the stadium.

BBC One

Australia captain Harry Grant, speaking to BBC One: "Yeah, it was pretty intense. It's a Test match and it was pretty fiery early on. It was a scrappy first half, but second half, we built our game. It was electric. Rugby league, you can see how much it means to people. Hopefully we can keep bringing these games. For the English crowd, and all the Aussies here too, it's memories for life."

Australia

Australia's Cameron Munster, speaking to BBC One: "I want to say thanks to the crowd - it is a big turn out. Aussies here as well, it has been a great game. England played their best we gave it to them on a silver plate in the first half, but the scramble in defence was really good tonight.

"When you don't complete and you defend a fair bit, there is a lot of fatigue.

"England came out and bashed us."

On aiming to win the series 3-0: "That is the goal, but if you look far ahead you don't play the footy you want. We got a bit complacent tonight, but a bit of skill got us out of trouble."

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Hill Dickinson Stadium

There are very few fans hanging around, although small sections of supporters clad in yellow and green are enjoying themselves.

They have become the latest generation of Australia fans to see their nation win an Ashes series.

I'd imagine the celebrations will go on long into the night for the tourists.

BBC iPlayer

Coverage has finished on BBC One, however the team will continue to dissect that match on BBC iPlayer and in the stream at the top of this page - just click 'Watch Live'.

England coach Shaun Wane is speaking to the BBC now, we will bring you his quotes shortly.

Jonathan Davies
Former Great Britain international on BBC One

A far better performance from England. They had more territory and more possession, but unfortunately they couldn't get over that white line.

Image source, Getty Images

James Graham
Former England forward on BBC One

Obviously, the series is now wrapped up, but I think England have proved they belong on the same stage. This game should do a lot for morale for everyone involved in English rugby league.