Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers accepts their top four push is over.

Rodgers says they must now focus on the FA Cup.

"The summer was very difficult with losing Luis [Suarez] and Daniel [Sturridge] being injured from the beginning of the season, and then a whole integration of new players," he said after defeat to Arsenal.

"It was like starting again - it was like my first six months after coming in. The reaction to the period after the Crystal Palace game has been really positive.

"Up until that point, in terms of performance level, we were nowhere near what we'd set for about 18 months [before]. The reaction and commitment of the players has been first-class since then.

"Up until the Manchester United game, we were the form team and playing very, very well. We've been dealt two big blows in these last two games.

"We haven't performed as we would have liked and that has cost us in terms of the results. I very much doubt we'll be in the top four now come the end of the season, there's too much ground to make up - that's the realistic view for me.

"Now we must really focus on the FA Cup and that's going to be very, very important for us."