Liverpool fullback Jose Enrique admits a top four finish is unlikely.
Enrique says Reds fans must be realistic about their chances this season.
He told the Mirror: "Of course we want to play in the Champions League, but you also have to be realistic.
"Look at how much Chelsea spent in the summer. Look at Manchester City and Manchester United.
"We want to be in the top four, but we didn't spend a lot of money on transfers in the summer and at the same time we lost quite a few players.
"That means it will be really difficult to be up there. We have some great players here at Liverpool, but we will have a problem if any of them get injured.
"It would be really hard for us if Stevie [Gerrard] or Luis [Suarez] was missing because the team would lose so much.
"Other teams like City have big squads. If City lose [David] Silva they still have [Samir] Nasri.
"It's hard for us, if we are honest. We don't have options like that."