Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson has insisted side's performance against Sunderland at Anfield on Saturday was "not good enough" despite urging his teammates to find "positives" from the 2-2 draw.
The Reds were comfortably leading 2-0 thanks to Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino's goals, before an Adam Johnson free-kick in the 82nd minute and a Jermain Defoe snapshot stole the points away from the home side in a snatch-and-grab draw.
Henderson has insisted his side will "take responsibility" for the last 10 minutes, that he admitted "wasn't good enough really" as he spoke to Liverpoolfc.com.
Skipper and co. accepting responsibility
The 25-year-old was adamant his side would take "responsibility as individuals" as he said the last 10 minues "was not good enough" as they dropped two points.
Looking at the overall performance of his side, Henderson said he thought throughout the first 80 minutes they were "very good" and that they "dominated most of the game."
The draw will only frustrate Henderson and his teammates as the search for a Champions League place now looks set to end in failure, with the Reds sitting in ninth place in the Premier League and 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
Englishman looking ahead to upcoming fixtures
With the Sunderland clash now in the past the Reds captain was keen to "take the positives" and build from the draw. He said that "to be leading at 80 minutes" was a "good lead" but said his side should be capable of being able to "see it out."
If his team are aiming to challenge successfully, in the Premier League especially, as it looks set to be even tougher next season, Henderson says they must work on protecting their advantages, adding: "we have to work on it (seeing the game out)" which he said himself and colleagues "have to be better at doing."
Henderson on Reds' improving their consistency
Reflecting on the season his side have currently endured, he says they have lacked consistency, which is something that they really should be looking to work on.
He said "We haven't really been very consistent, especially in the league" looking to build from this he said it is something "we need to improve on."
Liverpool will face West Ham United this Tuesday in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round which will kick off a tough run of games, with a Capital One Cup final clash taking place at the end of the month, Henderson's rallying call will hopefully serve as a wake-up call to the Reds as they look to end the season strongly.