Liverpool full-back Andrew Robertson has said the Premier League champions can still claim a place in the top four after their title defence collapsed in spectacular fashion.
Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for an English top flight league title in record-breaking style last season and were favourites to retain the trophy this term. The Reds started the campaign encouragingly and held a three-point lead after 16 matches, despite not hitting the heights of last season.
However, a loss of form and injuries to key players contributed to an alarming slump that saw Jurgen Klopp's side lose six successive matches at Anfield having gone the previous 68 unbeaten at home. Liverpool currently sit seventh in the table on 46 points, five behind fourth-placed Chelsea with nine games remaining.
"Unfortunately we have not had as good a season as we probably thought," Robertson, 27, told Sky Sports while away with Scotland on international duty.
"But there's still time to fix it – not to the extent we would like to fix it, but there's still time to make it a bit better. Hopefully we can show the Liverpool of old and we can keep kicking. There's still a long way to go."
Liverpool, who were crowned European champions in 2019, are still going strong in the Champions League and face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals next month.
"We need to go for both (top four and Champions League). We need to get up the league as high as possible," Robertson said.
Robertson's message of defiance echoes the statements made by teammate Mohamed Salah this week.
"It's tough for all of us because of the situation we have been through and our position in the Premier League, but I believe it's going to be better. In the Champions League we are doing good," said Salah, who is with the Egypt national team as they bid to qualify for next year's Africa Cup of Nations.
“I don't want to just talk about my season because we play as a team, so I'd say it's a tough season for all of us and we just need to carry on and try to win games."
