Javier Mascherano is confident Liverpool’s destiny remains in their own hands as they head into one of the biggest weeks of their season so far.
The Argentina midfielder reckons the Reds can bounce back from their recent disappointment with victory over Portsmouth on Monday night - a result that would set them up for crucial encounters with Lille and Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United.
"We created chances against Lille but we couldn't score," said Mascherano. "Hopefully we will take them at Anfield. It was a difficult pitch, it wasn't the best but it wasn't the best for them either. It's not an excuse. Now we just start thinking about Monday.
"We've got to think we can win these two games, to get through to the quarter-finals and also get three points to help us in the Premier League. It is going to be a very busy week, with Portsmouth, Lille and Manchester United.
"It's very important and we have to keep our focus. Everything is still in our hands. Of course it was so disappointing to lose. We had some chances but we have to have confidence that we can go through. We've done it before and can do it again."
Liverpool's Europa League hopes were dealt a blow after Eden Hazard's late goal gave Lille a first-leg advantage on Thursday night.
However, Mascherano feels the Reds showed a marked improvement on their Wigan showing in northern France and feels they can rectify their recent goal draught in front of their home crowd.
"We have had a look at ourselves," the Argentine midfielder explained.
"The match in Lille was totally different to Wigan. We know we didn't play well there or create chances. But at least against Lille we created a few chances and should really have scored.
"We have got to score against Portsmouth then we will play the game against Lille as a final. Our target is the same. To finish in the top four and to do well in the Europa League. We know if we play well then we can progress.
"Wigan was a very bad game and a very bad night. We didn't work in that game as hard as we can and we could not complain that we lost. Lille was completely different but still we need to improve."
He added: "(Lille) is a difficult feeling because we lost a game we did not deserve to lose," said Mascherano. "It was a very tight game but still we have a chance to come back in Anfield. I am confident that we can do it. It's half-time and we have chance to change it.
"It was a totally different game compared to Wigan. We were working very hard and we didn't deserve to lose but that is football. We conceded a foul and then a set piece."
The Argentina midfielder reckons the Reds can bounce back from their recent disappointment with victory over Portsmouth on Monday night - a result that would set them up for crucial encounters with Lille and Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United.
"We created chances against Lille but we couldn't score," said Mascherano. "Hopefully we will take them at Anfield. It was a difficult pitch, it wasn't the best but it wasn't the best for them either. It's not an excuse. Now we just start thinking about Monday.
"We've got to think we can win these two games, to get through to the quarter-finals and also get three points to help us in the Premier League. It is going to be a very busy week, with Portsmouth, Lille and Manchester United.
"It's very important and we have to keep our focus. Everything is still in our hands. Of course it was so disappointing to lose. We had some chances but we have to have confidence that we can go through. We've done it before and can do it again."
Liverpool's Europa League hopes were dealt a blow after Eden Hazard's late goal gave Lille a first-leg advantage on Thursday night.
However, Mascherano feels the Reds showed a marked improvement on their Wigan showing in northern France and feels they can rectify their recent goal draught in front of their home crowd.
"We have had a look at ourselves," the Argentine midfielder explained.
"The match in Lille was totally different to Wigan. We know we didn't play well there or create chances. But at least against Lille we created a few chances and should really have scored.
"We have got to score against Portsmouth then we will play the game against Lille as a final. Our target is the same. To finish in the top four and to do well in the Europa League. We know if we play well then we can progress.
"Wigan was a very bad game and a very bad night. We didn't work in that game as hard as we can and we could not complain that we lost. Lille was completely different but still we need to improve."
He added: "(Lille) is a difficult feeling because we lost a game we did not deserve to lose," said Mascherano. "It was a very tight game but still we have a chance to come back in Anfield. I am confident that we can do it. It's half-time and we have chance to change it.
"It was a totally different game compared to Wigan. We were working very hard and we didn't deserve to lose but that is football. We conceded a foul and then a set piece."
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