Dwight McNeil insists Everton’s narrow defeat to Liverpool is a mark of progress.
Sunday’s 248th Merseyside derby was the first staged at Hill Dickinson Stadium but the hosts slipped to a late 2-1 defeat despite levelling during the second half.
The Blues’ neighbours have been on a dismal run of form with 10 domestic defeats as they battle to secure a Champions League qualification place this season.
But McNeil believes that David Moyes’ side have shown how far they have come in a short space of time by battling the Premier League champions for large parts.
He said: “I think we still know that they are the team that won the league last year.
“We’re the same group with the same manager. So for us to be competing with them shows how far we’ve come in the last few years.
“It’s disappointing in the way we’ve lost the game but there’s still plenty of games to go so a lot more points to play for.
“We’ve got to try and stay as positive as we can. We know today was disappointing.
“But there’s still massive games to come and we know we definitely need to win some games.
“That’s what we’ll be looking to do between now and the end of the season.”
Despite the close nature of the latest derby contest, McNeil admits that he will be haunted by losing possession in the build-up to Mohamed Salah’s opening goal.
“I’ve watched it back about 10 times already because it’s [on] my passing side,” added the winger.
“It goes straight to [Cody] Gakpo who passes straight to Salah. That’s what happens at this top level, especially against LIverpool – they punish you.
“That will stay with me for a long time because I know it’s my fault leading to the goal which makes it harder to get back into the game.
“We grew back into the game then we got the equaliser and I thought we were going on to win it. But it was just that final moment.”
McNeil’s future with Everton remains clouded in uncertainty after a January transfer window deadline move to Crystal Palace collapsed in mysterious circumstances.
The 26-year-old’s now fiancee Megan Sharpley hit out at the Eagles for their ‘radio silence’ after the plug was pulled on the initial loan with a £20 million obligation deal.
Since being reintegrated into the fold, McNeil has been warmly received by Everton fans and received a standing ovation in last month’s win over his old club Burnley.
He added: “It’s been a really huge help after what went on.
“I’m just happy to carry on playing, really, and enjoying it.
“But we’ll see what happens now until the end of the season.”