Tim Cahill Bemoans Lack Of Cutting Edge At Everton

The result leaves the Toffees third from bottom of the Premier League after a poor run of form that has yielded just one victory in 11 attempts.

But the performance over their local rivals belied the gap between the two sides in the league, with Everton shading a closely fought encounter.

"I think that was the best we've played in a while," Cahill said.

"Our passing was good, we made lots of space with our movement and had two disallowed goals. We were strong from corners too.”

Cahill was involved in the game's defining moment, a close-range header thwarted by Pepe Reina, whose quick reactions denied the follow-up effort from Maroune Fellaini that would have levelled the game before Dirk Kuyt stretched the visitor's lead.

"You always think keepers' left hands are weaker than their right,” said Cahill, “but with Pepe at the minute he's just as strong on his left as his right."

"I could have headed it across the goal, but I was going for power, and Felli [Fellaini] followed it up.”

Cahill believes that Everton's errant finishing is costing them dearly at present, but has belief in his side's ability to overcome their current poor form and move towards the top half of the table.

“We couldn't hit a barn door at the minute, but things like that change a season and I'm much happier with our approach.

"It's the overall attitude and mental toughness that counts. I'm gutted for the fans and gutted for the team.

“The attitude against Hull wasn't good enough but it was a lot better against Liverpool and we will keep fighting.

“We're too good to be in this position,” he added.

“It's just one of those things and nothing's going to fix it except our mental attitude as individuals and a team."

Everton's current woes have been exacerbated by a spate of injuries and Joseph Yobo, whose outstretched leg diverted a wayward Javier Mascherano shot to give Liverpool the lead at Goodison Park, will join several senior players in the treatment room after suffering a hamstring strain on Sunday.

“It's hard to take, but at this stage it's not going to get any easier,” said Cahill.

“We're in a lot of trouble, and the only way we can get out of it is by playing and working our way out of it."

Hoping to do just that is team-mate Steven Pienaar who believes that Everton's European endeavours can help generate momentum domestically, with Wednesday's match at AEK Athens being the perfect opportunity to bounce back

The South African midfielder said: "Europe can help our league form. If we win in Athens, it can lift our spirits in the Premier League as well.

“We didn't even consider we might get dragged into a relegation fight. You just don't think about it like that.

“Sometimes you can go on a bad run, and that's what is happening with us now. But there are still plenty of games to go, we have a few over Christmas, so if we can win two games in a row then we will be back up the table. It's nothing to panic about."

Nick Price, Goal.com UK