'We need to improve all areas for Real'
Jordan Henderson acknowledged that Liverpool will have to improve on all aspects of their performance at Queens Park Rangers on Sunday when they host Champions League holders Real Madrid at Anfield.
The Reds squeezed past Harry Redknapp's determined, energetic team at Loftus Road by the odd goal in five - four of which arrived in a frenetic flurry from the 87th minute onwards - to secure a second successive Barclays Premier League win.
A positive result seemed in the bank as the contest entered its final chapter, with Richard Dunne's diversion into his own net appearing to be enough for Brendan Rodgers' team to return to Merseyside with three points.
In fact, they actually required a strike from distance by substitute Philippe Coutinho and a Steven Caulker own goal to eventually overcome their opponents, who had levelled twice through Eduardo Vargas.
"We all know we need to be better than that," Henderson later told the Liverpool Echo. "We're delighted with the three points but the performance wasn't good enough.
"The first half just wasn't good enough. We didn't play, we didn't keep the ball and we didn't dominate with the ball. I don't know why things didn't click. That was disappointing but in the second half we improved.
"We got forward and created more chances. We were more ruthless in the one-on-ones and got our rewards in the end. The end of the game was crazy. We're disappointed with the goals we conceded but we showed great character to keep fighting and get the win."
The victory lifted Liverpool to fifth in the Premier League table, although the fixture list demands that their focus is now switched to the Champions League and a crunch Group B meeting with Spanish giants Real this week.
Carlo Ancelotti brings the reigning kings of the competition to Anfield on Wednesday evening, with Henderson fully aware that every player involved must find extra levels to match the threat posed.
The vice-captain said: "We will take the positives and we will work on the negatives in training ahead of a big game on Wednesday. It wouldn't matter if it was Real Madrid or whoever next, we need to improve in all areas after that.
"They've got some great players but you want to be playing against the best players and the best teams in the world. That's how you improve as a player.
"We have to go out there with no fear and focus on playing the way we know we can. Our performance level needs to be high. We're capable of getting a good result."