Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is refusing to write off their chances of finishing in the top four of the Premier League after their 1-0 defeat at Hull City.
However, it is significant that he is already planning how to strengthen his team ahead of next season.
Rodgers is realistic enough to know that their Champions League ambitions are surely over as they lie seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with an inferior goal difference and only four games to play.
A place in the Europa League is also far from assured, underlining why Rodgers is under pressure after a season when they have not been able to cope with the sale of Luis Suarez and injuries to Daniel Sturridge, the two men whose goals were so important to Liverpool last season.
"You can't hide the fact we've lost over 50 goals," said Rodgers.
"Even with those players we weren't tipped to get in the top four and we haven't got those players now. We have to work with what we've got.
"Now we have to look to improve the squad and it's always great if you can get marquee players to come in and help you.
The owners will support that.
"We want to be in the top four, but that was always going to be difficult because we were playing catch up for a lot of the season.
"We lost a couple of big games which dented our confidence a bit. I need to build a team that can get through the rough waters as well. We need a team that can get through the smooth and the rough...
