Dirk Kuyt revealed the determination among Liverpool’s squad to “put things right” after their derby disappointment on Monday.
Everton put a significant dent in the title hopes of their neighbours by snatching a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
After leading the table for more than a month, Rafael Benitez’s side are now second behind leaders Manchester United on goal difference having played a game more.
Liverpool entertain Mersey rivals Everton again on Sunday in their FA Cup fourth round tie, and Kuyt said: “We wanted to beat them and thought we could win, but now we want put things right on Sunday. We will learn from the mistakes we made against them, and we will be ready for them in the cup game.
“We are very disappointed at the moment. We controlled the game, had some good chances and scored a great goal through Stevie, so it’s difficult to accept this kind of result when you concede so late in the game.
“I think we deserved to win. But we have to keep going and keep looking forward. We dropped two points but now we just have to look towards the next game.”
Fabio Aurelio joined his team-mate in admitting Liverpool must cut out the errors if they are to make amends in the FA Cup tie on Sunday.
“It was a tough game and both sides were fighting for everything,” said the Brazilian. “I don’t think it was a very good game in terms of the football that was played, but both teams put all of their effort into it.
“We know that they have been scoring a lot of goals from set-pieces. There is nothing we can do to change it now so all we can do is focus on our next game which is again against Everton.
“But we have to learn from our mistakes – that is always important, especially when you have conceded a late goal.
“It is always difficult to defend those types of free-kicks, particularly when the opposition has a very good taker and good headers of the ball. But I think we can improve.”
Aurelio paid tribute to Steven Gerrard, who marked his 250th game as Liverpool skipper with a trademark strike from 25 yards to give Liverpool a 68th-minute lead that was equalised by Tim Cahill.
“It was a fantastic goal by Steven,” said Aurelio. “Everyone knows what he is capable of when he gets the ball in these positions and it was a really good strike. I thought it could have been enough to win the game, but unfortunately it did not turn out that way.”
Title rivals United have won eight of their last 10 Premier League games without conceding a goal and dropping just four points from 30. During the same period, Liverpool have won just four times and taken only 18 points compared to United’s 26.
Four of those games have been home draws, with the Everton stalemate following those against Fulham, West Ham United and Hull City. But winger Albert Riera said: “We’ve dropped a lot of points at home this season through draws, but this wasn’t like the other times. In the other games, the teams were mainly here to defend and we simply couldn’t break them down.
“But against Everton we got the goal, and we could have even scored in the first half when Fernando hit the post.
“I’m surprised we conceded a goal, especially from a free-kick because I think that’s only the third goal we’ve conceded from a free-kick in more than half a season.
“It wasn’t like the Fulham or West Ham games. We created chances on Monday, and we don’t feel disappointed in the same way we did after those games.”
Benitez added: “We have to be positive. This is a good position. But we are disappointed because we are losing some home points we could win.
“But in England you say the bottle is half-full or half-empty. We feel it is half-full.”
Everton put a significant dent in the title hopes of their neighbours by snatching a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
After leading the table for more than a month, Rafael Benitez’s side are now second behind leaders Manchester United on goal difference having played a game more.
Liverpool entertain Mersey rivals Everton again on Sunday in their FA Cup fourth round tie, and Kuyt said: “We wanted to beat them and thought we could win, but now we want put things right on Sunday. We will learn from the mistakes we made against them, and we will be ready for them in the cup game.
“We are very disappointed at the moment. We controlled the game, had some good chances and scored a great goal through Stevie, so it’s difficult to accept this kind of result when you concede so late in the game.
“I think we deserved to win. But we have to keep going and keep looking forward. We dropped two points but now we just have to look towards the next game.”
Fabio Aurelio joined his team-mate in admitting Liverpool must cut out the errors if they are to make amends in the FA Cup tie on Sunday.
“It was a tough game and both sides were fighting for everything,” said the Brazilian. “I don’t think it was a very good game in terms of the football that was played, but both teams put all of their effort into it.
“We know that they have been scoring a lot of goals from set-pieces. There is nothing we can do to change it now so all we can do is focus on our next game which is again against Everton.
“But we have to learn from our mistakes – that is always important, especially when you have conceded a late goal.
“It is always difficult to defend those types of free-kicks, particularly when the opposition has a very good taker and good headers of the ball. But I think we can improve.”
Aurelio paid tribute to Steven Gerrard, who marked his 250th game as Liverpool skipper with a trademark strike from 25 yards to give Liverpool a 68th-minute lead that was equalised by Tim Cahill.
“It was a fantastic goal by Steven,” said Aurelio. “Everyone knows what he is capable of when he gets the ball in these positions and it was a really good strike. I thought it could have been enough to win the game, but unfortunately it did not turn out that way.”
Title rivals United have won eight of their last 10 Premier League games without conceding a goal and dropping just four points from 30. During the same period, Liverpool have won just four times and taken only 18 points compared to United’s 26.
Four of those games have been home draws, with the Everton stalemate following those against Fulham, West Ham United and Hull City. But winger Albert Riera said: “We’ve dropped a lot of points at home this season through draws, but this wasn’t like the other times. In the other games, the teams were mainly here to defend and we simply couldn’t break them down.
“But against Everton we got the goal, and we could have even scored in the first half when Fernando hit the post.
“I’m surprised we conceded a goal, especially from a free-kick because I think that’s only the third goal we’ve conceded from a free-kick in more than half a season.
“It wasn’t like the Fulham or West Ham games. We created chances on Monday, and we don’t feel disappointed in the same way we did after those games.”
Benitez added: “We have to be positive. This is a good position. But we are disappointed because we are losing some home points we could win.
“But in England you say the bottle is half-full or half-empty. We feel it is half-full.”
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