Steven Gerrard believes his assessment of Liverpool's domestic campaign in midweek was essential after the Reds' 3-1 win at Bolton on Sunday.
The Liverpool skipper voiced his dismay at the club's position in the Premier League which sees them competing with the likes of Everton and Aston Villa for the fourth Champions League spot.
Gerrard told Setanta 1: "As captain of the team, it is sometimes needed. We are disappointed with where we are in the league.
"We need to keep together and keep fighting to the end.
"It wasn't a negative thing."
Jussi Jaaskelainen needlessly conceded an own goal when he diverted Gerrard's harmless shot into the net before Ryan Babel extended the lead.
Fabio Aurelio made it three before Tamir Cohen pulled one back for the hosts as the Reds leapfrogged Everton on goal difference into fourth place although the Toffees were due to play Portsmouth later on Sunday.
Gerrard conceded it was a hugely important result, saying: "It was massive. Everyone around us is doing really well at the moment we've been inconsistent so it's important to get the points."
Babel insisted Gerrard's critique of the Reds' fortunes had been fruitful, saying: "Today you saw our confidence on the pitch.
"You have to keep pressure on Everton and I'm sure they will lose points at the end."
Rafa Benitez insisted that his only concern was taking three points rather than focusing on his rotation policy.
"I saw Man Utd changing things. But believe me the important thing is if you win."
The Reds boss was pleased by both the team's display and the result adding: "We are going forward. It was a good team performance. It is very positive.
"Both things are important. In the end to play well and to win is the key."
However, Benitez refused to look too far ahead, saying: "Three points against West Ham will be really good and after that we will think about Newcastle."
Bolton boss Gary Megson described the difference between his team and Liverpool as "probably about £200million" before underlining the Reds' better finishing.
He said: "They have got a quality team. We had four or five chances to score and they were more clinical when they got the opportunities.
"We made one mistake which meant we had to open the game up.
"Consequently, you are going to give yourself a lot of problems when you have a world-class player (like Gerrard) roaming around.
"I'm sure it would have been different (if we had taken our chances) but we are still playing against a class team.
"We had a few opportunities in the first 10, 15 minutes but we didn't take any but we were held to that."
Megson refused to apportion any blame to Jaaskelainen, whose mistake put the Trotters on the back foot.
"He has been terrific since I've been here - there is no blame, it was just one of those things that forced us to try and find the equaliser," Megson said.
The result leaves Bolton just one place above the drop zone but Megson insisted teams can soon change their situation.
He said: "It is very tight from Fulham up to Middlesbrough - any team going on a decent run, and a decent run is two wins, you can change your entire feeling at the football club.
"At the moment, we are a bit down, we are not doing as well at home as we had been."
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