Source: Liverpool_Echo
Lucas Leiva: We must raise our game after Tottenham defeat - Liverpool FC latest
LUCAS LEIVA today warned Liverpool need to improve drastically if they are going to challenge for this season's Premier League crown.
The Reds suffered their first opening day defeat for six years yesterday as they were beaten 2-1 at Tottenhem.
Steven Gerrard's penalty cancelled out Benoit Assou-Ekotto's opener but Sebastien Bassong's header won it for Spurs.
And the Brazilian midfielder admits Rafa Benitez's side fell below their usual high standards.
He said: 'We knew this would be a difficult match for us but in the first half we didn't play well.
'Spurs were pressing high and that made it difficult for us but we didn't keep the ball well enough
'We had a plan to play deep, to wait and then try to play on the counter attack.
'But we only had a few promising attacks and didn't create much.
'We had to do something so in the second half because we were losing we tried to play higher up the pitch.
'We had more possession and created more chances but it was a pity to concede again so soon after we had equalised.
'It's always disappointing to concede a goal from a set-piece.
'Maybe we should have a penalty when Voronin was fouled at the end but we know that wasn't good enough.
'It's very early days in the title race and there is a long way to go but we know we have to improve.'
