Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists his side remain on course for a return to the Champions League.

The Reds boss said last weekend's defeat at leaders Arsenal, when they were second best for most of the game, had by no means derailed their progress towards securing a top-four slot.

After 10 matches, which is the yardstick when Rodgers said a judgement could be made on the credentials of his side, they have 20 points and are third only on goal difference behind Chelsea.

Rodgers knows maintaining that ratio for the remainder of the season would get the Merseysiders back into the Champions League for the first time since they finished second in the 2008-09 campaign.

In fact, in the time they have been away from Europe's elite club competition no side has required more than 73 points (Arsenal, last season, averaging 1.9 points) to finish in the top four.

"If you look at where we're at if you're averaging two points a game you would like to think you would get into the Champions League," said the Reds boss ahead of the visit of struggling Fulham.

"Come Saturday if we can get another three points - which we'll be fighting hard for - that would take us above that.

"We're just treating every game as an important game for us in our quest this year.

"We just need to keep focusing and keep our concentration.

"We've built a platform this year but we have to keep pushing and moving forward or else it counts for nothing."

Rodgers accepts the defeat to the Gunners, currently playing their best football for some time, showed him where his side need to get better if they are to remain consistent, particularly in the big matches.

"Having analysed the game twice afterwards I thought they had better control of the game than us; that's something that is part of our identity that we're looking to improve," he added.

"But in terms of chances we could have got something from the game. That always gives us great hope.

"We didn't play to our maximum but we still could have had something from it.

"We're just looking to grow and improve our level in every aspect. That's something we'll continue to work on."

What will help Liverpool to bounce back quickly is the return of playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who played the second half at the Emirates Stadium after more than six weeks out following a shoulder operation.

Full-back Glen Johnson is fully recovered after illness ruled him out in the hours before the Arsenal game while Steven Gerrard has trained this week after a hip problem restricted him during the game.

Right-back Sascha Riether misses out for Fulham as he starts his three-match suspension after being found guilty of violent conduct by the Football Association for stamping on Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj in last weekend's 3-1 defeat.

Striker Hugo Rodellega will be out for five to six weeks with a muscle injury in his left leg and defender Matthew Briggs will be sidelined for another six weeks following his hernia operation.

Meanwhile, manager Martin Jol will wait on the fitness of central defender Brede Hangeland (sciatic nerve) and attacking midfielder Bryan Ruiz (back) before naming his final squad.

Jol believes Ruiz is strong enough to shrug off the effects of the booing he received from Fulham's home crowd last weekend when his side run out at Anfield.

Ruiz was singled out by fans who voiced their displeasure as Fulham slumped to 16th place and two points away from the relegation zone.

Jol said: "The Premier League is a tough world. If you do well the people will praise you and if you don't they will boo you. He's quite strong, he's not a pussycat. It will affect him personally but I don't think it will affect his game."

Jol knows Liverpool striker Luis Suarez well having managed him at Ajax, where he made the Uruguayan his captain.

He has tried to pass on inside knowledge to his defenders but acknowledged the talent of Suarez is difficult to shackle.

Jol said: "Suarez is one of the best in the world and he will prove that. He will score a lot of goals. He would have been top scorer last year if he had not been suspended.

"Sturridge has also had a big impact since he went to Liverpool. They are very good going forward with these top players up front.

"Maybe you could stretch your imagination a bit and say they could be title contenders. They are strong and they will be going for a top four spot this year."

http://espnfc.com/en/preview/367383/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=3888

If you think Liverpool will Lose Like

donphilopus: If you think Liverpool will Lose Like

bros why you they beg for like nah ? We are winning this one.

luvola: bros why you they beg for like nah ? We are winning this one.

It's as usual as usual for we to ask for LIKE in this section, but you dare not try that in Politics Section

I need hat tricks from both Suarez and Sturridge.

Katsumoto: I need hat tricks from both Suarez and Sturridge.

I thought you were for Arsenal

donphilopus: I thought you were for Arsenal

Please please please. ASSnal what? But I would rather Arsenal win instead of Manure.

Barca and Liverpool are my two teams.

Katsumoto:

Please please please. ASSnal what? But I would rather Arsenal win instead of Manure.

Barca and Liverpool are my two teams.

LOL.... Everybody is denying As-snar

Katsumoto: I need hat tricks from both Suarez and Sturridge.

Na basketball?

donphilopus: LOL.... Everybody is denying As-snar

That should apply only to those who have ever supported assnal. Read my comments again; never supported assnal.

Hello pepole am adie hard livpool fan and i predict tomorrows match. Liv 2: ful 0 thnk u...

Katsumoto:

That should apply only to those who have ever supported assnal. Read my comments again; never supported assnal.

Ok, I thought you were against Dayokanu when he was blasting Arsenal, maybe I read it upside down

Chai!
I'm beginning to like Arsenal.
THE way they won Liverpool was scary.

we will win 3-1...SAS on score sheet

donphilopus: Ok, I thought you were against Dayokanu when he was blasting Arsenal, maybe I read it upside down

Arsenal is like that stubborn little brother you have. Sometimes you play with him and sometimes you give him tough love by giving him some shishi. I still prefer Arsenal to Manure anyday.

Katsumoto:

Arsenal is like that stubborn little brother you have. Sometimes you play with him and sometimes you give him tough love by giving him some shishi. I still prefer Arsenal to Manure anyday.

Manure

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists his side remain on course for a return to the Champions League.

The Reds boss said last weekend's defeat at leaders Arsenal, when they were second best for most of the game, had by no means derailed their progress towards securing a top-four slot.

After 10 matches, which is the yardstick when Rodgers said a judgement could be made on the credentials of his side, they have 20 points and are third only on goal difference behind Chelsea.

Rodgers knows maintaining that ratio for the remainder of the season would get the Merseysiders back into the Champions League for the first time since they finished second in the 2008-09 campaign.

In fact, in the time they have been away from Europe's elite club competition no side has required more than 73 points (Arsenal, last season, averaging 1.9 points) to finish in the top four.

"If you look at where we're at if you're averaging two points a game you would like to think you would get into the Champions League," said the Reds boss ahead of the visit of struggling Fulham.

"Come Saturday if we can get another three points - which we'll be fighting hard for - that would take us above that.

"We're just treating every game as an important game for us in our quest this year.

"We just need to keep focusing and keep our concentration.

"We've built a platform this year but we have to keep pushing and moving forward or else it counts for nothing."

Rodgers accepts the defeat to the Gunners, currently playing their best football for some time, showed him where his side need to get better if they are to remain consistent, particularly in the big matches.

"Having analysed the game twice afterwards I thought they had better control of the game than us; that's something that is part of our identity that we're looking to improve," he added.

"But in terms of chances we could have got something from the game. That always gives us great hope.

"We didn't play to our maximum but we still could have had something from it.

"We're just looking to grow and improve our level in every aspect. That's something we'll continue to work on."

What will help Liverpool to bounce back quickly is the return of playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who played the second half at the Emirates Stadium after more than six weeks out following a shoulder operation.

Full-back Glen Johnson is fully recovered after illness ruled him out in the hours before the Arsenal game while Steven Gerrard has trained this week after a hip problem restricted him during the game.

Right-back Sascha Riether misses out for Fulham as he starts his three-match suspension after being found guilty of violent conduct by the Football Association for stamping on Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj in last weekend's 3-1 defeat.

Striker Hugo Rodellega will be out for five to six weeks with a muscle injury in his left leg and defender Matthew Briggs will be sidelined for another six weeks following his hernia operation.

Meanwhile, manager Martin Jol will wait on the fitness of central defender Brede Hangeland (sciatic nerve) and attacking midfielder Bryan Ruiz (back) before naming his final squad.

Jol believes Ruiz is strong enough to shrug off the effects of the booing he received from Fulham's home crowd last weekend when his side run out at Anfield.

Ruiz was singled out by fans who voiced their displeasure as Fulham slumped to 16th place and two points away from the relegation zone.

Jol said: "The Premier League is a tough world. If you do well the people will praise you and if you don't they will boo you. He's quite strong, he's not a pussycat. It will affect him personally but I don't think it will affect his game."

Jol knows Liverpool striker Luis Suarez well having managed him at Ajax, where he made the Uruguayan his captain.

He has tried to pass on inside knowledge to his defenders but acknowledged the talent of Suarez is difficult to shackle.

Jol said: "Suarez is one of the best in the world and he will prove that. He will score a lot of goals. He would have been top scorer last year if he had not been suspended.

"Sturridge has also had a big impact since he went to Liverpool. They are very good going forward with these top players up front.

"Maybe you could stretch your imagination a bit and say they could be title contenders. They are strong and they will be going for a top four spot this year."

Match Preview Updated

Donphilopus

Are you a Liverpool supporter?

Katsumoto: Donphilopus

Are you a Liverpool supporter?

No ooo Boss, I'm for the great Chelsea

We should win this

finish 'em all

donphilopus: If you think Liverpool will Lose Like

try and get a life

Liverpool i don bet for una head oo
No fall my hand today.

A must win match for us. Tippin d duo of best attackers in premiership dis season to score. Suarez 2, Sturrige1...Oda may add thiers. YNWA

Abeg lose dis match jor..up gunners

Sure 3 points 4 the reds.. The match is actually 3pm n not 4pm

Omo liverpool must win ooooo, cos na straight win I gave dem

oyedun82: try and get a life

Let's watch and see

a massive win is not negotiable this time around,reeling from the pain of the defeat to arsenal.

Katsumoto:

Please please please. ASSnal what? But I would rather Arsenal win instead of Manure.

Barca and Liverpool are my two teams.

Lol. As for me,Manchester United and Liverpool are my two teams.