Kolo Toure: Experienced defender has belief Liverpool can challenge for the title

The Reds had to battle back from 2-0 down to claim a point at Anfield and, with Arsenal winning, they are now eight points off the pace-setters.

Toure accepts Liverpool underperformed against Villa but he expects their main rivals to suffer similar blips and feels they are far better off than most had anticipated at the start of the season.

"We are still in that (title race) because every team can lose points," Toure said.

"For us we just need to think about the next game 100 per cent, try to win and be positive.

"What we have done so far no-one was expecting at the start of the season.

"We need to take that on board and just keep going. When you have hard times you see a strong team and we are a strong team.

"The first half was very hard but the reaction from the team was great after going 2-0 down to a good Villa side - last year they won (3-1) here and it wasn't easy for us.

"We got a point and that showed the character of the team. We don't want to lose and that is very important, especially at home.

"Other teams will make errors. We just need to maintain our focus and believe in ourselves. In 16 games a lot can happen."