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According to leader George Williams, the national team were handed a harsh "wake-up call" as Australia secured the coveted Ashes trophy.

Australia's 14-4 victory at the Merseyside venue on Saturday gave them a unassailable 2-0 advantage, making next week's Headingley encounter a dead rubber.

The national squad had entered the series holding aspirations of sending Australia to their maiden Ashes setback since 1970.

Over the last 24 months, they had enjoyed a clean sweep over Tonga and a success over the Samoan team. But as the Rugby League Ashes resumed after a two-decade hiatus, England were unable to take the next step against the reigning title holders.

"We're not making excuses. There were enough training periods to get it right on the pitch, and it's clear we've managed that," the captain commented.

"Credit to Australia. They were strong in defense. But we've got loads to address. It seems not as good as we believed we were entering this series.

"This serves as a valuable lesson for us, and we have plenty to enhance."

Australia 'Show Up and Prove Merciless'

Having been heavily outplayed in an mistake-ridden performance at the national stadium, England's were significantly better on the weekend back in the traditional strongholds of the North.

In a rousing first half, the home side caused turnovers from the Australians and had superior positioning and ball control, but unfortunately did not convert opportunities on the scoreboard.

Tellingly, the English team have now managed just one try over two full matches, with player the forward powering through late on in the setback in London.

On the other hand, the Kangaroos have scored six in two games - and when errors began to affect the hosts' play just after the interval, it was a case of inevitability, they were going to be heavily penalized.

First the playmaker crossed, and then so too did Hudson Young. From being level at four-all, the home side were 10 points adrift.

"Satisfied for the majority of the game. I thought for most of the match we were good," said the coach.

"The drop in intensity for a brief period after the break cost us immensely. Munster's try was easy and should not be scored in a international fixture.

"We're heartbroken. So proud the squad had a fight but very frustrated with that second-half lapse, which cost us significantly."

While the next World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea is just under a year from now, England's short-term goal will be on attempting to salvage honor, avoiding a clean sweep and addressing the errors that annoyed the coach.

"I wanted to see additional intensity directed toward the opposition. My aim was us to build pressure in the game - we fell short last week," added the 61-year-old.

"We managed this week. The issue is a minor refinements in our offensive play where we could have put them under greater stress. It's essential to defend both [tries] with greater resolve.

"Credit to the Kangaroos - that is not a criticism to them. They perform and are merciless when they get a chance, and we failed to be, but in defense we must do enhance.

"The Australians will be obsessed to win the series whitewash and we need to be obsessed to make it a competitive series. I've told that to the squad. It has to be our obsession. It will be a difficult week but whoever desires it the greatest will secure victory next week."

Competitive Edge Needs to Elevate in Super League

The English side have participated in a comparable number of international fixtures to the Kangaroos since the previous global tournament in recent years.

However the coach thinks that the strength of the NRL - and quality of the domestic rivalry matches between NSW and QLD - provide a more effective preparation for performing at the highest level of the international game than what is available in the UK.

The England coach commented that the packed domestic league fixture list left little opportunity for him to work with his squad during the season, which will only raise more issues around how England can close the divide to the Kangaroos before heading to Oceania in the next World Cup.

"The Australians play a large number of internationals in their league," he remarked.

"We have 10-15 a year. It's crucial demanding games to boost the domestic league and boost our prospects of succeeding in these types of matches.

"It was impossible to even train with the squad. There was no chance to got on the field in the season and I had the complete support of everyone in Super League.

"I have also been in the boots of the club managers that need to win games. The league is that congested. It's a pity but it's not the cause we got beaten today."