Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez tellingly spoke of the need to "change your targets" after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth.
The Spaniard may well have been talking about shifting focus to the Boxing Day clash against Wolves but following the performance at Fratton Park, the comment could easily apply to Liverpool's season.
Goals from Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne, either side of Javier Mascherano's dismissal, made Liverpool look every inch the Europa League team they currently are.
This came days after Benitez offered guarantees of a top-four finish in the Premier League with the right approach.
"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."
Anfield legend Alan Hansen, in his role as a BBC pundit, suggested the pressure was on Benitez to deliver and that the club would not make any knee-jerk reaction during the season.
Hansen was also critical of Liverpool's performance at Pompey, regardless of referee Lee Mason's decision to dismiss Mascherano for a lunge at Tal Ben Haim.
Last season Benitez's outburst aimed at Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson, when he kept repeating "facts", was criticised as counter-productive - this time he continually described Mason as "perfect".
For a flavour of his reaction, 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."
Benitez, however, did claim the sending off just before half-time changed the game.
"The 10 players were working very hard," he said.
"Credit to them, they were in the game. They (Portsmouth) were playing counter-attack and with the pace up front it's not easy."
Belhadj's goal came after a poor header from former Pompey right-back Glen Johnson, while Piquionne span around Jamie Carragher before finishing, ruining the Liverpool centre-back's 600th appearance for the club.
"You have to be disappointed when you concede goals," Benitez added.
At least Benitez has £20million summer signing Alberto Aquilani back for the Christmas period after missing the Pompey trip with a calf problem.
"He has a kick in his calf and he didn't train properly," Benitez said.
"He is not serious so he will be okay for next week but he couldn't be here."
The Spaniard may well have been talking about shifting focus to the Boxing Day clash against Wolves but following the performance at Fratton Park, the comment could easily apply to Liverpool's season.
Goals from Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne, either side of Javier Mascherano's dismissal, made Liverpool look every inch the Europa League team they currently are.
This came days after Benitez offered guarantees of a top-four finish in the Premier League with the right approach.
"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."
Anfield legend Alan Hansen, in his role as a BBC pundit, suggested the pressure was on Benitez to deliver and that the club would not make any knee-jerk reaction during the season.
Hansen was also critical of Liverpool's performance at Pompey, regardless of referee Lee Mason's decision to dismiss Mascherano for a lunge at Tal Ben Haim.
Last season Benitez's outburst aimed at Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson, when he kept repeating "facts", was criticised as counter-productive - this time he continually described Mason as "perfect".
For a flavour of his reaction, 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."
Benitez, however, did claim the sending off just before half-time changed the game.
"The 10 players were working very hard," he said.
"Credit to them, they were in the game. They (Portsmouth) were playing counter-attack and with the pace up front it's not easy."
Belhadj's goal came after a poor header from former Pompey right-back Glen Johnson, while Piquionne span around Jamie Carragher before finishing, ruining the Liverpool centre-back's 600th appearance for the club.
"You have to be disappointed when you concede goals," Benitez added.
At least Benitez has £20million summer signing Alberto Aquilani back for the Christmas period after missing the Pompey trip with a calf problem.
"He has a kick in his calf and he didn't train properly," Benitez said.
"He is not serious so he will be okay for next week but he couldn't be here."
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