STEVEN GERRARD insists Liverpool must build on their thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham at Anfield as they look to launch a push for European qualification.

The skipper's late penalty helped the Reds secure a third successive Premier League win and climb above Everton into the top six.

Brendan Rodgers' side, who ended Tottenham's 12-game unbeaten league run, are now within seven points of fourth placed Chelsea.

Gerrard (left) believes beating the Londoners represented an important step forward for the Reds.

“It's a big win for us,” he said. “With our performances against the top sides this season, I think we've been very unlucky not to get a win. It's been too long so there's a bit of relief really that we have proved we can beat one of the top sides in the league.

“I think on current form, along with ourselves, Tottenham are probably the best team in the league. When the top sides come, you always know there will be periods of the game when they will have control.

“Credit to Tottenham, they are a fantastic team but we always stayed in the game. Even at 2-1, with players like Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in your team you always know that something can happen to get you back in it.

“When we went out of the Europa League, the message from the manager and the staff was that we needed to try and win as many of our remaining games as possible and try to finish as high as possible.

“Our form is good but we can't afford to get carried away just because we've beaten Tottenham. We need to show what we've shown today in all of our remaining games. We want to finish above Everton and as high as we can in the league.”

Luis Suarez fired Liverpool in front but some slack marking enabled Jan Vertonghen to net twice and put Spurs in front.

Gerrard was full of praise for Stewart Downing, who capped a fine performance by making it 2-2 with a cool finish.

“I think the Downing goal turned the game – that gave us the impetus to go on and win it,” Gerrard said.

“He's a different player now. Now we're seeing Stewart Downing, the England international and why he has got all those caps.

“What is impressing me the most about Stewart Downing at the moment is the work he's doing for the team without the ball - sliding tackles, his double marking with Glen Johnson and his effort.

“The stats that go up on the board after every game underline that. He's a different player and if he can keep producing those type of performances then it will be money well spent

“If he keeps to that level of consistency he can make that position his own.”

Gerrard explained why after slotting home the winner from the penalty spot past Hugo Lloris, he raced to the dugout to celebrate with Reds goalkeeping John Achterberg.

“I wouldn't like to take all the credit for the three points today,” he added.

“There are so many details that go into the games nowadays.

“John Achterburg did a montage on their goalie for me before the game. He consistently went to the right and I think he had saved four out of eight going to his right. I was always to his left having watched that, but if I had never got that montage then I would probably gone to his right so credit to John.”