Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers: League title too much for us this season

Brendan Rodgers has reiterated that he came to Liverpool to challenge for titles – but the Reds manager has played down their chances of winning the Premier League crown this season.

Liverpool were widely touted as potential top-flight challengers after their emphatic 5-1 victory over Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday, with the Gunners top of the table before being subjected to the heavy loss.

I just feel where we are at this stage and the momentum has been building, it’s unprecedented to go from seventh position last year [to first]

Brendan Rodgers

However, Rodgers is adamant that Liverpool’s chief objective for the season remains a top-four finish despite their morale-boosting win over Arsene Wenger’s men.

“I came here to challenge for titles,” Rodgers told his pre-match media conference ahead of Wednesday’s clash at Fulham.

“So our ambitions – there is no limit to them. That’s why I came to Liverpool to this great club and hopefully I’m going to be here for a number of years and continue on the great work that the likes of Kenny [Dalglish] were doing before I arrived.

“I just feel where we are at this stage and the momentum has been building, it’s unprecedented to go from seventh position last year [to first]. I’m a realist and I’m full of optimism for this football club and the development of the team but I’ve got to be realistic as well.

“It might be too much for us this season, but it doesn’t stop us fighting and some point in my time here we will be ready.”

With Chelsea and Manchester City both to come to Anfield before the season finishes, Rodgers can understand why the Reds are being billed as potential title winners.

“The scenario is there [to win the title] and it’s been mentioned about the advantage that we may have not playing in the Europa League or Champions League,” he continued.

“But I’ve not seen the facts anywhere saying a team that hasn’t been involved in that has won the Premier League. The teams that are fighting for the Champions League spots are there because they’ve got the stronger squads. It’s all relative because of the size of their squad.

“I only focus on the team and the football club for us to be ready.”