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According to leader George Williams, the national team were given a harsh "wake-up call" as Australia secured the Rugby League Ashes.

Australia's 14-4 triumph at the Merseyside venue on the weekend gave them a 2-0 series lead, making the upcoming sold-out third Test a academic contest.

The national squad had come into the series holding aspirations of inflicting the Kangaroos to their maiden Ashes setback since over five decades ago.

Over the last 24 months, they had enjoyed a dominant victory over Tonga and a 2-0 triumph over Samoa. But as the prestigious competition returned after a long break, the English were unable to advance further against the reigning title holders.

"We take full responsibility. We've had enough sessions to execute properly on the pitch, and it's clear we've managed that," Williams stated.

"Australia deserve praise. They proved excellent defensively. But there's plenty to address. It seems not as strong as we expected we were going into this series.

"So it's a necessary reality check for us, and there is much to improve on."

Australia 'Turn Up and Prove Clinical'

After being heavily outplayed in an mistake-ridden performance at the national stadium, Wane side's were much improved on Saturday back in the core regions of northern England.

In a rousing initial stages, England elicited errors from the Kangaroos and had all the field position and ball control, but importantly did not convert opportunities on the points tally.

Significantly, the English team have now scored just a single touchdown over two full matches, with St Helens hooker Daryl Clark barging over late on in the loss in the capital.

In contrast, the Kangaroos have scored half a dozen so far - and when errors began to appear in the hosts' play just after the half-time, it was a case of certainty, they were going to be made to pay.

Initially the playmaker crossed, and then so too did the forward. From being level at 4-4, the home side were down by double digits.

"Proud for the majority of the game. In my view for 70 minutes we were competitive," said Wane.

"The drop in intensity for a brief period after half-time cost us severely. The first try was easy and should never happen in a Test match.

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

While the next World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere is just under 12 months away, the team's primary concern will be on attempting to regain respect, avoiding a clean sweep and addressing the issues that annoyed Wane.

"I wanted to see more directed toward the opposition. I wanted us to build pressure in the game - we didn't do that last week," added the veteran coach.

"We managed this week. It's just a lack of precision in our attack where we could have put them under increased strain. We need to defend both [tries] more effectively.

"Credit to Australia - that is no detriment to them. They perform and are merciless when they get a chance, and we weren't, but in defense we can and should do enhance.

"They will be focused to win 3-0 and we need to be equally determined to make it a competitive series. I've told that to the players. It has to be our primary goal. It's going to be a difficult week but the side that wants it the most will get the win next week."

Intensity Must to Increase in Domestic Competition

England have participated in a comparable number of Test matches to Australia since the last World Cup in recent years.

Yet Wane believes that the caliber of the NRL - and standard of the domestic rivalry matches between NSW and Queensland - provide a more effective preparation for performing at the highest level of the international game than what is available in the northern hemisphere.

The England coach added that the hectic domestic league fixture schedule allowed no time for him to work with his team during the campaign, which will only raise additional concerns around how England can close the divide to the Kangaroos before travelling to Oceania in the next World Cup.

"They participate in a large number of internationals in their league," he added.

"England play 10-15 a year. We need really intense games to boost the domestic league and boost our chances of winning these high-stakes fixtures.

"I couldn't even train with the squad. There was no chance to trained together in the season and I had the full backing of everyone in the domestic competition.

"I understand in the boots of the club managers that need to win games. The league is that congested. It's a pity but that's not the cause we were defeated today."