Gerrard: Defeat won't halt our momentum
Steven Gerrard insists Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round exit at the hands of Arsenal will not derail Liverpool's season.
Gerrard believed his side were worthy of earning at least a replay at the Emirates Stadium as they attempted to stage a comeback from two goals down in the capital.
The captain halved the deficit when he fired calmly from the spot for the second time in the space of four days after Luis Suarez was fouled in the penalty area.
Brendan Rodgers' side were relentless in their pressure for a long spell after the skipper's conversion, creating a whole host of chances to pull level in the game.
However, they were denied an equaliser - Gerrard and co will now turn their full focus to the Barclays Premier League, where 12 games remain for them to secure a top-four position.
"Obviously we're going away really disappointed with the result but we can't be disappointed with how we played," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"The least we deserved was a replay. Going out of the cup is a blow but the effort, the attitude and the character was excellent.
"We created enough chances and really took the game to Arsenal in the second half, but big moments went against us.
"There is nothing to be down about. Sometimes you just don't get what you deserve from games and this was an example of that.
"We have to move on, dust ourselves off and go again against Swansea next Sunday."
Defeat at the Emirates came on the back of two uplifting victories in the league, as the Gunners were thrashed 5-1 at Anfield before Gerrard's heroics secured a vital three points against Fulham in midweek.
Gerrard considers the most recent display against Arsenal to have proved once again that Liverpool are capable of matching the best in the country, and he's urging his teammates to return to winning ways in their next clash at Anfield.
"The way we're playing at the moment, we're a match for anyone," he said. "Going forward we look so dangerous and we are creating more than enough chances to win games.
"People are talking about us being a top side and rightly so. We need to bounce back quickly - that's what top sides do after a setback.
"They don't feel sorry for themselves; they look to the future and focus on getting back to winning ways.
"I know going out of the cup won't have a negative impact on the league. Our home form has been excellent and we need to continue that by taking maximum points at Anfield next Sunday."