Everton skipper Phil Neville says finishing the season above Liverpool will have a hollow feeling after their FA Cup semifinal defeat.
Despite losing all three Merseyside derbies this season, Everton lie a point above Liverpool and can finish above them for the first time since 2005.
Neville said: "It won't make up for it because, at the end of the day, we want to win silverware.
"But seventh position might qualify us for Europe - you just never know. That would be a little bit of consolation for this season.
"We need to carry on into next season, and start the season well. Because we do leave ourselves a mountain to climb sometimes.
"We're proud of the way we're playing in the second half of the season.
"Sometimes, you've just got to take your punishment and that's what we've got to do."