Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that his side will find it hard to finish in the top four in the Premier League this season.

The Reds are currently 12th in the table with 16 points from 14 matches, just four points above the relegation zone and 10 points off the final Champions League spot.

"Let's be honest, it is a big ask to make the top four, a massive ask," said Rodgers. "But that has to be our target. I have seen enough from this team to make me believe we are still on track.

"Our objective in the first six months was to hang on to the coattails of the top teams and give ourselves a fighting chance, and with sides all taking points off each other, we are still hanging in there.

"We are creating enough ­pressure and getting enough of the ball. We just need to be a bit more clinical to finish off that good work, and if we can find the right profile of players in January, we can go on a great run."

Liverpool will host Southampton at Anfield on Saturday.