Mascherano demands Liverpool build on defeat of United

JAVIER Mascherano demands that Liverpool must build on their shock victory over champions Manchester United – and not allow their standards to drop again.

The Reds went into Sunday’s 2-0 home triumph over United, having lost four successive matches and knowing another defeat would mean their worst run of results since 1953.

But Liverpool stormed to victory thanks to goals from Fernando Torres and David Ngog, lifting the pressure on manager Rafael Benitez.

Mascherano, who accepts he deserved to be sent off in the final frantic minutes, said: “We were talking about (kick)starting our season, and it was an important win.

“It’s good for the confidence. But we have to keep going; we have to look forward and not drop important points.

“If we want these three points to be valuable we have to show this performance again in the future. Losing four games in a row was bad, so now it is time to start (our season) again.”

The midfielder is heartened that Liverpool have demonstrated their credentials as feasible title contenders – but he warns it must be just the beginning if they are to sustain a challenge.

“Now we have shown we can win, we cannot stop,” he said. “We must try to keep going like this. We have shown we are a good squad, not (just) a good team.

“Now we have to continue winning. We must repeat everything we did (against United) in all the competitions.

“Liverpool is a big club, and we have to show that every single game.

“We had to win because it was a massive game for the supporters and the club. It was a team effort. The fans are always behind us, and the team worked really hard – everyone was running and fighting.”

Mascherano’s battling for the cause earned him a late dismissal by Andre Marriner for a second yellow card.

He will be suspended for tomorrow’s Carling Cup tie at Arsenal, a game he may well have been rested from anyway – with Benitez likely to field a weakened side at the Emirates.

Mascherano has no complaints against the decision.

“Maybe the referee was right to send me off. I made a mistake,” he conceded. “I didn’t want to touch (Edwin) Van der Sar. I tried to intercept a pass. But the grass was very slippy, and I used a little too much power. It was a foul, so I think I deserved a second yellow card.”

Torres is almost certain to find himself on the sidelines, along with captain Steven Gerrard at Arsenal.

The Spaniard was only “80% fit” for the Manchester United game, Benitez reported – while Gerrard is believed to be some way short of fitness following his groin problem.

Torres said: “I wasn’t really at my best (against United). We knew before the game I couldn’t play to 100%, because I had some pain. But in games like that the pain doesn’t matter.”

Torres took his goal tally for the season to nine, after brushing off Rio Ferdinand and firing home.

He added: “I feel a bit of pain when I shoot across (goal), so I could only shoot towards the near post. It was the only thing I could do.

“We are in the (title) race again. We knew before the game that we had to win – and we did it.

“We have to be focused for Fulham on Saturday. But we feel like a strong team again, because we’re working together – like in the past.”