Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has conceded that he will have a difficult job to convince top-class players to join the club in the summer without the prospect of Champions League football.

The Reds' hopes of finishing in the top four took a major blow on Saturday as a result of their 4-1 hammering at the hands of Arsenal, which has left them seven points adrift of the Champions League places with seven games remaining in the campaign.

"Liverpool is a phenomenal club that players want to play for but, of course, players want to play at the top level of the game and if you are not in the Champions League it makes it difficult for you," Rodgers told reporters.

"We know that but we just have to continue to fight in order to be a stable club. We want to be in the Champions League – that is important and key for us – but it is highly unlikely this year.

"I wouldn't expect the others to slip up and then add to that the growing number of players we have got unavailable and I think it will make it very difficult."

Rodgers is also adamant that the club will not sell Raheem Sterling, despite the 20-year-old's refusal to commit his future to the Merseysiders.