Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that his side's hopes of making the Premier League's top four come the end of the season are virtually non-existent as there is "too much ground to make up".

The Reds have been left seven points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City following their 4-1 thrashing away at Arsenal on Saturday, combined with Manchester United's 3-1 win over Aston Villa later in the day.

Rodgers told BBC Sport: "I very much doubt we'll be in the top four come the end of the season. There's too much ground to make up, that's the realistic view from me.

"Now, we must really focus on the FA Cup and that has got to be very, very important for us."

Liverpool finished second in the Premier League last season, just two points behind champions Manchester City.