Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton believes that manager Brendan Rodgers will come under huge pressure if the side doesn't "hit the ground running" next season.

The Reds slipped to a 1-0 defeat by Hull City on Tuesday evening to leave them seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United in the Premier League table.

Houghton believes that the Northern Irishman will keep his job this summer, but claimed that the Reds boss must deliver next term or face the sack at Anfield.

The Irishman told talkSPORT: "If Brendan Rodgers moved on, they will still need funding to go out and improve the squad.

"Liverpool have to hit the ground running next season. [Rodgers] will be under enormous pressure. He got a little bit of leeway this season because he lost Luis Suarez to Barcelona. Then Daniel Sturridge picked up an injury.

"That was huge because the two goal threats for Liverpool, when they finished second last season, are no longer there."

Rodgers's men host Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.