STEVEN GERRARD says an early goal in next Thursday's second leg against Zenit St Petersburg at Anfield is vital to Liverpool's hopes of extending their stay in the Europa League.
“We're obviously down. On the back of two defeats, it's a difficult moment but we need a reaction,” Gerrard said. “We've got a big game in a couple of days against Swansea and we need to bounce back.
“Up until the 70th minute against Zenit, the game was under control. It was a tough night in tough conditions. We're disappointed with the two sloppy goals we conceded, but the tie is not over. If anyone can pull it back, it's us.
“We'll have an advantage with our supporters. If they can create the noise they're capable of, get behind the team and we can get an early goal, it's game on.
“But we are disappointed. It wasn't the result we wanted. We wanted an away goal and to try and sneak away with a clean sheet, but if you concede sloppy goals, you get punished and that's what happened.”
Winger Stewart Downing admitted the Reds must be more clinical at Anfield.
He said: “For 70 minutes it was a good away performance. They started well, but we had five or six chances to win the game.”
