Rodgers embraces top four pressure

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says the English Premier League club will not shy away from challenging for a top-four finish.

Rodgers, who is preparing for his first league game at the helm away to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, believes a return to the Champions League is attainable after Liverpool finished a distant eighth last season.

“It is where a club of our status wants to be,” he said.

“It is always easier said than done, and over the last three seasons it hasn’t been like that.

“Our job is to try and push on – a lot of work has gone into the club in the last few years to try and get it back to the top of the league.

“We hope to do that, and it is something we will work very hard for.”

Rodgers has introduced Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen and Roma forward Fabio Borini since his arrival at Anfield and remains hopeful of making further additions despite apparent financial restrictions.

“There has been a lot of work behind the scenes; enquiring about players and such,” he said.

“The reality is, we did not have enough money this year. We had a tight budget to work within and even to get the players we have, we had to move some out.

“That was the way it was. It does not worry or frustrate me. We just have to make sure we are effective with the players that we bring in and make sure they make a difference to us.”