James Milner says Manchester United's improving form means Liverpool have to respond by "kicking on" in 2021.
The defending Premier League champions head into the new year with a three-point lead at the top, despite back-to-back disappointing draws against struggling West Brom and Newcastle.
Meanwhile, their arch-rivals, who have dropped just four points since November 1, could go level on points with them with victory over Aston Villa on Friday. The two teams go head-to-head at Anfield on January 17.
"I think it's a positive [Liverpool are top] but it seems to be at this moment in time that nobody wants to take it by the scruff of the neck," he told liverpoolfc.com.
"We've dropped points, everyone seems to be dropping points. United have had a good run and they're probably the only team who are putting a run together.
"It's important that we need to kick on now and try to get a few three-pointers. But the world is in a very strange place at the moment and it's the same in football.
"Everybody's lives are upside down, it's tough mentally for everybody and it's the same in football.
"Hopefully we can get out of this the other side and it's the same with football – we just need to keep plugging away.
"We've given absolutely everything. The boys are doing well. We'll stick together, we'll keep plugging away and we just need to get that final piece of the puzzle right.
"I thought it was a good performance [against Newcastle], we just needed that final bit to get the goals.
"If we keep playing like that, hopefully we can go on a run and put some more points on the board."
Liverpool have already dropped more points in 16 matches this season than they did in the whole of the previous campaign, which saw them race to their first title triumph in 30 years.
Last year, Jurgen Klopp's side did not lose a league match until February 29, having won all of their games except one – against United – up until that point.
________________________________________________________________________
Liverpool 1 West Brom 1: player ratings
-
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7. The Brazilian had little to do in the first half but showed his worth in the second period. His save from Grant was excellent but he could do little about the equaliser. Getty -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6. Took advantage of West Brom’s narrow defence to deliver a number of tempting crosses in the first half but produced less danger as the match went on. EPA -
Joel Matip - 7. The German provided the pass to Mane for Liverpool’s goal and was assured until forced to limp off with a groin injury, which was a huge blow to the team. Replaced by Rhys Williams in the 60th minute. AFP -
Fabinho - 5. Beaten in the air for the equalising header. The Brazilian has been superb in the middle of the back four but incidents like West Brom’s goal are a reminder that he is not a natural centre back. Reuters -
Andrew Robertson - 6. The Scot threatened down the left but his crosses needed to be more precise against the packed ranks of defenders. EPA -
Jordan Henderson - 5. The captain put in his usual, hardworking shift but games like this scream for more creativity in midfield. Unlocking defences is not his job in this team. PA -
Georginio Wijnaldum - 5. The Dutchman cruised through the first half when the opposition sat back but did not appear to switch back on after the break when West Brom became ambitious. PA -
Curtis Jones - 4. Always looked to create something going forward but the 19-year-old was sloppy. Made an error that led to the corner that resulted in the equaliser. Taken off for Oxlade-Chamberlain with seven minutes left. PA -
Mohamed Salah - 5. The Egyptian simmered in the first half and looked dangerous in a congested penalty area but lost his way as the match went on. AFP -
Roberto Firmino - 6. The Brazilian has bounced back from a dip in form and was full of tricks and clever movement but was unable to unlock the mass defence. AFP -
Sadio Mane - 8. Scored a wonderful goal after taking the ball on his chest in the area. The Senegalese was always threatening, even though he was unable to add to his tally. EPA -
SUBSTITUTES: Rhys Williams - 5. On for Matip with 30 minutes to go. The 19-year-old was outpaced by Grant on the break but was rescued by Alisson. Endured an anxious half hour. Reuters -
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 5. Joined the action for Jones with seven minutes left. Tried hard to make an impact but never really troubled the opposition defence. EPA Divock Origi - 5. Replaced Firmino for stoppage time and was given the thankless task of trying to fashion a winning goal. It might have made more sense to introduce the Belgian earlier to take advantage of the crosses. -
WEST BROM RATINGS: Sam Johnstone - 7: The goalkeeper’s magnificent late save from Firmino preserved a point for his team. The 27-year-old has made the most saves in the Premier League and enhanced his reputation at Anfield. Reuters -
Darnell Furlong - 7: The 25-year-old made a number of vital clearances as crosses squirted across the area. Tried to ruffle Mane with a physical approach. EPA -
Semi Ajayi - 7: Lost Mane for the Liverpool goal but more than made up for it with the equaliser. Stood strong in the centre of defence against wave after red wave. EPA -
Dara O'Shea - 8: Never gave an inch against Liverpool's front three and ensured the back line held their shape when under huge pressure. PA -
Kieran Gibbs - 6: Looked like being over-run early in the game as the ball was swung in from his wing but the 31-year-old used all his experience to stick to his task. Getty -
Romaine Sawyers - 6: The 29-year-old seemed out of his depth in the first half as the game bypassed him. Significantly better after the break and began to set up Albion attacks. EPA -
Conor Gallagher - 6: Put in a huge amount of effort in the midfield as he tried to match Henderson and Wijnaldum. The 20-year-old soaked up responsibility. Withdrawn for Ivanovic in stoppage time. EPA -
Matt Phillips - 5: Was not quick enough to the ball when Liverpool were in possession. No shortage of labour from the Scot but little effect. EPA -
Grady Diangana - 5: Struggled to get involved and scuffed his only chance from the edge of the box in the second half. Was more effective when working back and helping the defence. Getty -
Callum Robinson - 5: Pinned back for long periods but bolder in the second half and gave a glimpse of the sort of crosses he can deliver when the team break out of their shell. Replaced by Matheus Pereira in the 73rd minute. PA -
Karlan Grant - 4: Isolated in the first half but had his team’s best opportunity of the match when running one-on-one with Alisson. Was taken off shortly afterwards for Austin. AFP -
SUBS: Matheus Pereira - 7: Returned from suspension with 17 minutes to go and provided the perfect cross for Ajayi's goal in an encouraging cameo. AFP -
Charlie Austin - 5: On for Grant with 12 minutes remaining. Buzzed around the Liverpool box but was unable to eke out any opportunities. AP -
Branislav Ivanovic - 5: Sent on to bolster the defence in stoppage time when Gallagher was withdrawn and was satisfied to play a small part in the draw. Getty
________________________________________________________________________
It was evident the unique circumstances of this campaign, with its lack of a proper pre-season and a compressed schedule, would have some impact on results and a repeat of Liverpool's runaway success was never likely.
Nevertheless, Milner accepts they could still have done better. "Everything is completely different but it's the same in all walks of life at this moment in time so that's something we have to adapt to," he added.
"Whether that is stopping teams putting on a good run and being fully comfortable, I don't know.
"But that's where we are and we have to deal with it the best we can and push on. I think where we are in the league we would have liked to have got more points on the board.
"There's points we've dropped this season where we feel we could have done better but to still be in the mix going into the new year is good, especially with the problems we have.
"But we are a quality squad of players who have been together a long time and we are used to winning.
"We are disappointed not to get the three points [at Newcastle] but we want to get back on the winning track as soon as possible."
