"It has been a difficult week - we lost a derby," admitted the Irish international.
"And as always when it's Liverpool the criticism is intense and a bit over the top.
"If we had won 3-0 people wouldn't be slamming Everton, they'd be saying good things about us. But if we lose, we get it.
"We know we made mistakes, everyone is aware of that, but to get a good away draw in Europe straight afterwards will be a big boost to our confidence.
"It was important to get back on track, but we need points in the league now to really get ourselves back to our usual level of confidence, and to push up the table. We must be contenders."