Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has stated that the loss of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Jon Flanagan has contributed to his side's poor campaign.

Following the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday, Liverpool's hopes of finishing in the top four this season is all but over and the current campaign has to be considered a disappointment.

Manager Rodgers acknowledges that the absence of departed strike ace Suarez as well as the oft-injured Sturridge has denied his side a plethora of goals but suggests that full-back Flanagan has also been a costly absentee.

"The difference is pretty clear. At the end of last season when we nearly won the league, Chelsea signed three players in [Thibaut] Courtois, [Cesc] Fabregas and [Diego] Costa and won it this season," said the Northern Irishman.

"We've lost three starters in Suarez, Sturridge who has been injured and young Jon Flanagan - that's over 50 goals."