Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is adamant their season turnaround should not be judged on defeat to Aston Villa.
It was the Reds' second on the bounce and meant they missed out on European football for the first time in 12 years.
"We did not qualify for Europe because we lost a game today, it was because we had a bad start to the season," said Dalglish, who transformed the team since taking over in January.
"If you start as badly as that you are lucky to be sixth come the end of it.
"To get so close is a great complement to the players. I'm disappointed we didn't finish on a high as they've (the players) done fantastic to get as far as they have done."
