Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits his side's outstanding goalscoring exploits can occasionally work against them in terms of expectation but believes they have a real winning mentality and strong character.
The Reds' 2-1 win at home to Sunderland - a seventh successive Barclays Premier League victory - produced a tense finish having seemingly been comfortable with two-goal cushion.
Liverpool are the top-flight's leading scorers with 84 goals and while a Steven Gerrard free-kick and Daniel Sturridge's 20th of the season put them on track to regain second spot from Manchester City, Ki Sung-Yueng's header set the nerves jangling and John O'Shea almost snatched a very late equaliser.
Steven Gerrard scored Liverpool's opener from another set-piece
"The perception is that we are going to get four, five and six goals each game - which is wonderful," said the Northern Irishman.
"We knew that this was a game that we knew we have to be patient with. We were the dominant team but no matter how dominant you are when it gets to 2-1 it is going to be tight for that last 10 minutes or so.
Liverpool 2-1 Sunderland
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SUNDERLAND(01 of26)
Liverpool's English striker Daniel Sturridge (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (up) and Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SUNDERLAND(02 of26)
Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard celebrates at the end of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on March 26, 2014. Liverpool won the match 2-1. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(03 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates with team-mate Glen Johnson (R) at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SUNDERLAND(04 of26)
Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard celebrates at the end of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on March 26, 2014. Liverpool won the match 2-1. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SUNDERLAND(05 of26)
Liverpool's English striker Daniel Sturridge (L) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with English midfielder Jordan Henderson during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SUNDERLAND(06 of26)
Liverpool's English striker Daniel Sturridge (L) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with English midfielder Jordan Henderson during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(07 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates with team-mate Simon Mignolet at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SUNDERLAND(08 of26)
Liverpool's English striker Daniel Sturridge (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with English midfielder Jordan Henderson during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(09 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates scoring the second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(10 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates scoring the second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SUNDERLAND(11 of26)
Liverpool's English striker Daniel Sturridge (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (up) and Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(12 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates scoring the second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(13 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates scoring the second goal with team-mate Jordan Henderson (l) during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(14 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates scoring the second goal with team-mate Jordan Henderson (l) during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(15 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates scoring the second goal with team-mate Jordan Henderson (l) during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(16 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates scoring the second goal with team-mate Jordan Henderson (l) during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(17 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates scoring the first goal with his team-mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(18 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates scoring the second goal with team-mate Jordan Henderson (l) during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(19 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates scoring the first goal with team-mate Luis Suarez (R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SUNDERLAND(20 of26)
Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal from a freekick with Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (C) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SUNDERLAND(21 of26)
Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal from a freekick with teammates during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(22 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates scoring the first goal with team-mate Luis Suarez (R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(23 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates scoring the first goal with team-mate Luis Suarez (R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Liverpool v Sunderland - Premier League(24 of26)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates scoring the first goal with team-mate Luis Suarez (R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on March 26, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SUNDERLAND(25 of26)
Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (back) celebrates scoring the opening goal from a freekick with Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (C) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-SUNDERLAND(26 of26)
Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal from a freekick with Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (L) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England, on March 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"I thought we showed great character and deserved to win the game. Credit to them they kept fighting because they are in a difficult position.
"It shows the character of the team that we stayed with it and showed that winning mentality and finished with another great victory. It is more satisfying."