Liverpool ready to do things the hard way
Kenny Dalglish isn't yet 100 per cent certain to be in charge of Liverpool beyond the summer but the popular interim boss has revealed his determination to ensure that the club sustain their European status.
Whereas the Reds were fortunate to scrap into the Europa League despite finishing seventh last year because FA Cup runners-up Portsmouth were unable to participate due to their perilous situation, it is now apparent that even sixth place won't be enough to earn a spot in next season's competition.
Birmingham pinched one Europa League berth from the Premier League's grasp by lifting the Carling Cup - though it has been suggested that they like Portsmouth will fail to meet UEFA's requirements - and Stoke or Bolton will take another after drawing one another in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The consequence of the success being enjoyed by some of the top-flight's lesser lights is that Liverpool's only remaining routes into Europe are to end the campaign in the top five or win the Europa League, however Dalglish is refusing to give up hope of meeting one of those objectives.
He said: "We want to be playing at the highest level we possibly can. To do that we have to win matches, starting with the game tomorrow night. We've got to win by two goals to maintain our European status this year.
"Every game for us is really important. That starts tomorrow night and continues until the end of the season. Where we get to after that will only be determined by how well we do. European football and this football club are synonymous. We'd love that to continue."
The Merseyside giants trail Sporting Braga after a 1-0 loss in Portugal but are [1.88] to recover from that setback and progress, while odds of [8.0] are offered on them claiming the trophy in Dublin this May.
Will Liverpool be in Europe next season? Offer your predictions below...
Published: 16 Mar 2011
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