Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has warned his team-mates they will miss out on next season's Champions League if they do not quickly shake off a costly habit of drawing matches they should win.
A goalless stalemate at Chelsea on Sunday was the Reds' 11th draw of the season.
And while Gerrard took encouragement from aspects of his side's performance, the reality was that Manchester City, Aston Villa and Everton all won at the weekend, thereby gaining ground in the battle for fourth spot.
"Our form has been very inconsistent of late, but the performance against Chelsea was very pleasing and something that we can now build on," Gerrard told the club's website, www.liverpoolfc.tv.
"A lack of consistency has been our problem this season, along with drawing games that we should have won. Coming to Stamford Bridge and getting a point is acceptable, but to draw certain games like we have at home this season, like against Aston Villa and Wigan, they are the most frustrating things."
Liverpool have not won away at Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal since Rafael Benitez took over as manager at Anfield in 2004, and that record added to the disappointment with Sunday's result.
"When you control games like that away from home, it's disappointing not to take maximum points," Gerrard added. "It would be a waste if we don't kick on from this and keep on drawing games that we should be winning.
"But not many teams go to Chelsea and get a point, so it's a positive result to build on."
A goalless stalemate at Chelsea on Sunday was the Reds' 11th draw of the season.
And while Gerrard took encouragement from aspects of his side's performance, the reality was that Manchester City, Aston Villa and Everton all won at the weekend, thereby gaining ground in the battle for fourth spot.
"Our form has been very inconsistent of late, but the performance against Chelsea was very pleasing and something that we can now build on," Gerrard told the club's website, www.liverpoolfc.tv.
"A lack of consistency has been our problem this season, along with drawing games that we should have won. Coming to Stamford Bridge and getting a point is acceptable, but to draw certain games like we have at home this season, like against Aston Villa and Wigan, they are the most frustrating things."
Liverpool have not won away at Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal since Rafael Benitez took over as manager at Anfield in 2004, and that record added to the disappointment with Sunday's result.
"When you control games like that away from home, it's disappointing not to take maximum points," Gerrard added. "It would be a waste if we don't kick on from this and keep on drawing games that we should be winning.
"But not many teams go to Chelsea and get a point, so it's a positive result to build on."
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