Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says his side must not dwell on their defeat to Portsmouth and focus on the next game.
The Reds slumped to a 2-0 defeat on Saturday thanks to goals from Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne either side of Javier Mascherano's sending off, which led to Benitez launching a bizarre rant at referee Lee Mason.
The Spanish tactician continually described Mason as 'perfect' in the aftermath of the defeat which leaves Liverpool eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the table.
Wolves go to Anfield on Boxing Day and Benitez insists the squad must shift their focus and prepare for the next game.
"We have to start working this week, preparing the next game," he said.
"You have to change your targets and think about one game at a time. That is the only way. We know we have to work harder now."
After the game, Benitez said: "The referee was perfect. He didn't make any mistakes. He was perfect in giving fouls to (Fernando) Torres, he was perfect in everything. He was perfect."
He did, however, credit Avram Grant's Portsmouth for putting the 10 men under pressure at Fratton Park.
"The 10 players were working very hard," he added.
"Credit to them, they were in the game. They (Portsmouth) were playing counter-attack and with the pace up front it's not easy."
Benitez will have summer signing Alberto Aquilani back for the remaining Christmas period after the midfielder missed the Pompey trip with a calf problem.
"He has a kick in his calf and he didn't train properly," he remarked.
"He is not serious so he will be okay for next week but he couldn't be here."
The Reds slumped to a 2-0 defeat on Saturday thanks to goals from Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne either side of Javier Mascherano's sending off, which led to Benitez launching a bizarre rant at referee Lee Mason.
The Spanish tactician continually described Mason as 'perfect' in the aftermath of the defeat which leaves Liverpool eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the table.
Wolves go to Anfield on Boxing Day and Benitez insists the squad must shift their focus and prepare for the next game.
"We have to start working this week, preparing the next game," he said.
"You have to change your targets and think about one game at a time. That is the only way. We know we have to work harder now."
After the game, Benitez said: "The referee was perfect. He didn't make any mistakes. He was perfect in giving fouls to (Fernando) Torres, he was perfect in everything. He was perfect."
He did, however, credit Avram Grant's Portsmouth for putting the 10 men under pressure at Fratton Park.
"The 10 players were working very hard," he added.
"Credit to them, they were in the game. They (Portsmouth) were playing counter-attack and with the pace up front it's not easy."
Benitez will have summer signing Alberto Aquilani back for the remaining Christmas period after the midfielder missed the Pompey trip with a calf problem.
"He has a kick in his calf and he didn't train properly," he remarked.
"He is not serious so he will be okay for next week but he couldn't be here."
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