Jordan: Whole team will defend better
The overriding lesson learned by midfielder Jordan Henderson from Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday is that the Reds must begin to defend better as a collective unit.
With 36 minutes played at Anfield, the hosts found themselves two goals behind as Andreas Weimann and Christian Benteke each struck close-range finishes from deliveries into the area.
Back came Brendan Rodgers' side and after the returning Daniel Sturridge had concluded an incisive passing move to provide respite before the break, Steven Gerrard's second-half penalty secured a point.
Henderson credited the visitors for their expansive, counter-attacking performance in the Barclays Premier League clash, but accepted that the whole Liverpool team must do more to prevent concessions.
"We have to defend better as a team," the No.14 told the Liverpool Echo. "It's not just about the back four and the 'keeper, it's the whole team. I'm sure that's something we will work on.
"When we changed the formation we dealt with things better and got ourselves back in the game. Having got back to 2-2 with over half an hour left, we wanted to kick on and find a winner but we just couldn't get it.
"Credit to Villa as they came with a game plan and their tactics in the first 20 to 30 minutes were working. We found it difficult to play and weren't at our best.
"They played a diamond formation with Weimann in behind me and Stevie. They had a lot of bodies in and around the middle for the flick-ons off Benteke. It was difficult to cope with at times.
"We're disappointed. We set such high expectations here. We want to go into every game and win it. Unfortunately, we couldn't do that but the good thing is that from 2-0 down we showed our character and our fight.
"We showed that we didn't want to be beaten. Villa beat us 3-1 here last season and we were beaten away to Stoke last season. If you look at it that way then it's an improvement."
Next up for the Reds in the Premier League is a fascinating Merseyside derby with Everton on January 28, but before then Rodgers' charges will continue their FA Cup quest.
Championship outfit Bournemouth are the fourth-round opponents this Saturday lunchtime, and Henderson insists his colleagues can travel south with confidence.
"We will look to recover well over the next few days and then we'll prepare well for that game to make sure we are ready," the 23-year-old said.
"It will be a difficult game but we're looking forward to it. We will go there with confidence and hopefully we can get a good result."