Victory in this weekend’s Merseyside derby would be the perfect tonic for Liverpool after their Champions League heartache, so says Javier Mascherano.
A top four finish is now an absolute must for Liverpool, and Mascherano says its vital that he and his teammates get over their European disappointment.
"It's a strange feeling for everyone at the club," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"The Champions League is a special competition for us but it's gone and we must keep going.
"Now we are in another competition and we will do all we can to win that,” he added, referring to the Reds’ demotion to the Europa League.
"There will be no problem with motivation. The motivation is simply to play for Liverpool.
"Liverpool fans deserve more from us and that is why we will do our best to win the Europa League."
The Argentine believes Liverpool can soon get back on track, starting with Sunday's crunch derby with Everton.
"We know it is going to be very difficult on Sunday but this is a really important game for us and for our supporters and we have got to start winning in the league again by beating Everton."
