Sammy Lee today insisted Liverpool will do all they can to 'put things right' next season and rejoin the fight for major honours.
Sunday's defeat to Chelsea brought the Reds' hopes of a top-four finish to an end, and the assistant boss admits there has been an air of disappointment around Melwood as a campaign, in which he accepts the side has underperformed at times, draws to a close.
However, Lee is adamant players and staff alike are united with the fans' desire to see Rafael Benitez's troops bounce back strongly in 2010-11.
"It's been subdued (at Melwood) to be frank because of the realisation we haven't got where we wanted to be in this league," Anfield's No.2 told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"We don't like losing and we've lost 19 times in all competitions this season, which is unacceptable here."
He continued: "We're very confident we can bounce back next season. We have to be. Liverpool is all about success and everybody demands success at this football club - rightly so.
"We'll be doing all we can in the close season to make sure we do bounce back. Staff, players and supporters, we've just got to make sure we put it right for next season."
Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Liverpool sparked wild celebrations in the away section of Anfield as Carlo Ancelotti's side moved to within touching distance of the Barclays Premier League title.
However, Lee insists those scenes will not serve as added motivation for the Reds next term as the players already hold a burning desire to achieve glory.
"We don't need anybody's celebrations to fuel our hunger for success," he said.
"We know what we've got to do, what this club demands and what our supporters demand, expect and deserve.
"Although it is disappointing to see other teams enjoying success, we certainly don't need anything to fuel our hunger.
"We've got that hunger deep inside and we have to channel that hunger into making sure we achieve what we want - and what this football club deserves - in future."
Liverpool will wrap up the 2009-10 season against already-relegated Hull City at the KC Stadium on Sunday.
Victory over the Tigers could see the Reds claim a sixth-place finish in the Barclays Premier League, should Aston Villa fail to beat Blackburn Rovers at home.
Lee added: "At the start of the competition, we aim to finish as high as we can and if sixth is as high as we can finish, then we have to aim for that. That is what we will be doing."
Hull's demotion to the Championship was confirmed by a 2-2 draw at Wigan Athletic on Monday - though Lee is well aware Iain Dowie's side will still pose a threat to Liverpool.
"They're a dangerous proposition," he said. "They've got a number of players who can be a threat to us. Although they're relegated, they'll be a danger to us.
"It's been difficult for Iain. Everybody is aware of the situation he came into, but he's worked very, very hard there. But we're just concerned with our own job rather than anybody else's.
"We've got to make sure we try to do what we have to do, which, as always, is to gain maximum points from each and every game."
Sunday's defeat to Chelsea brought the Reds' hopes of a top-four finish to an end, and the assistant boss admits there has been an air of disappointment around Melwood as a campaign, in which he accepts the side has underperformed at times, draws to a close.
However, Lee is adamant players and staff alike are united with the fans' desire to see Rafael Benitez's troops bounce back strongly in 2010-11.
"It's been subdued (at Melwood) to be frank because of the realisation we haven't got where we wanted to be in this league," Anfield's No.2 told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"We don't like losing and we've lost 19 times in all competitions this season, which is unacceptable here."
He continued: "We're very confident we can bounce back next season. We have to be. Liverpool is all about success and everybody demands success at this football club - rightly so.
"We'll be doing all we can in the close season to make sure we do bounce back. Staff, players and supporters, we've just got to make sure we put it right for next season."
Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Liverpool sparked wild celebrations in the away section of Anfield as Carlo Ancelotti's side moved to within touching distance of the Barclays Premier League title.
However, Lee insists those scenes will not serve as added motivation for the Reds next term as the players already hold a burning desire to achieve glory.
"We don't need anybody's celebrations to fuel our hunger for success," he said.
"We know what we've got to do, what this club demands and what our supporters demand, expect and deserve.
"Although it is disappointing to see other teams enjoying success, we certainly don't need anything to fuel our hunger.
"We've got that hunger deep inside and we have to channel that hunger into making sure we achieve what we want - and what this football club deserves - in future."
Liverpool will wrap up the 2009-10 season against already-relegated Hull City at the KC Stadium on Sunday.
Victory over the Tigers could see the Reds claim a sixth-place finish in the Barclays Premier League, should Aston Villa fail to beat Blackburn Rovers at home.
Lee added: "At the start of the competition, we aim to finish as high as we can and if sixth is as high as we can finish, then we have to aim for that. That is what we will be doing."
Hull's demotion to the Championship was confirmed by a 2-2 draw at Wigan Athletic on Monday - though Lee is well aware Iain Dowie's side will still pose a threat to Liverpool.
"They're a dangerous proposition," he said. "They've got a number of players who can be a threat to us. Although they're relegated, they'll be a danger to us.
"It's been difficult for Iain. Everybody is aware of the situation he came into, but he's worked very, very hard there. But we're just concerned with our own job rather than anybody else's.
"We've got to make sure we try to do what we have to do, which, as always, is to gain maximum points from each and every game."
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