STEVEN GERRARD admits Liverpool's players are “hurting” – but believes they have shown they have the right attitude to revitalise their Premier League campaign.
Rafael Benitez's side earned only their fifth win in 18 games with a 2-0 home triumph over 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend.
After Stephen Ward had been dismissed shortly after the interval for two bookable offences, Gerrard sent Liverpool on their way with a powerful header before Yossi Benayoun sealed victory.
And the skipper is convinced the Anfield outfit can again challenge for Champions League qualification.
“Wolves came here organised, they were always going to be difficult to beat,” said Gerrard.
“It was just all about waiting for that breakthrough. But we knew if we had the belief it would come, and it did.
“When you're not getting the results you expect it's always going to affect confidence.
“But we want to put it right. The players are hurting at the moment. If we keep showing the attitude we did against Wolves we'll move up to where we want to be.”
Liverpool travel to fourth-placed Aston Villa tomorrow night knowing victory could move them to within two points of the Midlanders.
And Lucas, who played the full 90 minutes on Saturday despite a minor injury, has urged Benitez's side to end the year on a winning note.
“We are happy because we really needed the three points,” said the Brazilian of the win over Wolves. “I think we played well and deserved to win.
“Now we have to build some momentum. We have an important game with Villa and we know that if we beat them we will be closer.
“Like I have said before, every game is like a cup final for us and we must keep working hard to try and win some matches in a row.
“Villa will be a really difficult game and we don't have too much time to recover, but we will make sure we are ready and try to get the three points.
“When you aren't winning or playing as well as you can then you are going to get criticism, that's normal.
“We know we have a good squad and a good team. The key is to get our confidence back for the rest of the season.”
