Brendan Rodgers admits a top-four finish is ‘very, very difficult’ for Liverpool after Arsenal defeat

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admitted that it would be "very, very difficult" for his side to secure a place in the top four and return to the Champions League.

Brendan Rodgers looks on during Liverpool's defeat to Arsenal. Phillip Brown / Reuters

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admitted that it would be “very, very difficult” for his side to secure a place in the top four after the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.

Knowing a victory would put Liverpool back within touching distance of Manchester United in fourth, Rodgers’ side succumbed to a heavy defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool were 3-0 down at half-time thanks to stunning goals from Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil, and Alexis Sanchez. Jordan Henderson pulled one back from the penalty spot, although the sending off of Emre Can was preceded by Arsenal’s fourth courtesy of Olivier Giroud.

Should United win their game against Aston Villa, it will leave Liverpool eight points off the top four, and Rodgers has admitted it may be too tall a task.

“It was a game we needed to take something from,” Rodgers said. “Today is a big disappointment, but we didn’t defend well enough in key moments of the game.”

Liverpool are also at risk of being overtaken by Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, both of whom are just a point behind them.

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