Xabi Alonso insists Liverpool cannot afford to repeat the mistakes made in Boxing Day's narrow victory over Derby if they are to mount a Premier League title challenge.

Steven Gerrard turned in another captain's display at Pride Park as he struck a last minute winner after James McEveley had cancelled out Fernando Torres' first half opener.

Liverpool have struggled to kill games off after taking the lead this season, which has seen the Reds slip nine points behind league leaders Manchester United.

Alonso, though, is hopeful Liverpool will learn from their mistakes as they attempt to break Manchester City's winning home run on Sunday.

"We probably should have scored and killed the game and then in the second half we struggled a bit," Alonso told Liverpool's official website.

"We have to think and try not to be in that position again because we had chances to win the game before the goal.

"We have to learn and not repeat what happened at Derby again."