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According to captain the England captain, the national team were delivered a stark "wake-up call" as Australia secured the prestigious series.

Australia's 14-4 victory at the Merseyside venue on Saturday gave them a 2-0 series lead, making next week's sold-out third Test a meaningless fixture.

The England team had come into the series harbouring hopes of inflicting the Kangaroos to their initial series loss since over five decades ago.

Over the last 24 months, they had enjoyed a clean sweep over Tonga and a 2-0 triumph over the Samoan team. But as the Rugby League Ashes resumed after a long break, England were unable to advance further against the reigning title holders.

"No excuses from us. We've had enough training periods to execute properly on the field, and I don't think we've managed that," the captain told.

"Credit to Australia. They proved good in defense. But we've got plenty to improve. It seems not as strong as we thought we were entering this series.

"So it's a necessary lesson for us, and [there is] loads to enhance."

Australia 'Show Up and Are Ruthless'

After being soundly beaten in an sloppy showing at Wembley, Wane side's were significantly better on Saturday back in the traditional strongholds of England's north.

During an energetic opening period, the home side caused turnovers from the Australians and had superior positioning and ball control, but unfortunately did not make it count on the points tally.

Notably, England have now managed just one score over two full matches, with player the forward barging over late on in the defeat in London.

Conversely, the Kangaroos have accumulated six in two games - and when blunders began to appear in the England's play just after the interval, it was a case of certainty, they were going to be severely punished.

First Cameron Munster scored, and then so too did Hudson Young. From being level at 4-4, the home side were 10 points adrift.

"Satisfied for the majority of the game. I thought for 70 minutes we were good," said the coach.

"The drop in intensity for a brief period after half-time damaged us immensely. The first try was soft and should not be scored in a international fixture.

"We're heartbroken. So proud the squad had a dig but very frustrated with that post-interval, which hurt us dearly."

While the next World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere is just under 12 months away, England's immediate focus will be on attempting to salvage honor, avoiding a 3-0 sweep and eradicating the errors that irritated the coach.

"I wanted to see additional intensity thrown at Australia. My aim was us to maintain momentum in the game - we didn't do that last week," added the veteran coach.

"We did this week. It's just a bit of detail in our offense where we could have put them under more pressure. We need to stop each of [tries] more effectively.

"Fair play to Australia - that is not a criticism to them. They arrive and are merciless when they seize opportunities, and we weren't, but in defense we can and should do improve.

"The Australians will be focused to win the series whitewash and we need to be equally determined to make it 2-1. I've said that to the players. It has to be our main aim. It will be a difficult week but the side that wants it the greatest will emerge victorious next week."

Intensity Must to Elevate in Super League

England have participated in a similar number of international fixtures to Australia since the last World Cup in recent years.

However the coach argues that the caliber of the Australian league - and quality of the domestic rivalry matches between New South Wales and Queensland - deliver a superior foundation for competing at the highest level of the international game than what is available in the UK.

The England coach added that the congested Super League calendar left no time for him to train his squad during the campaign, which will only raise additional concerns around how England can bridge the gap to the Kangaroos before heading to Oceania in 2026.

"They participate in a lot of internationals in their league," he stated.

"We play ten to fifteen a year. We need highly competitive games to improve the domestic league and boost our prospects of winning these types of matches.

"It was impossible to even practice with the players. There was no chance to got on the field in the campaign and I had the full backing of everyone in Super League.

"I have also been in the position of the head coaches that need to win games. The competition is that packed. It's unfortunate but that's not the cause we were defeated today."