Liverpool's Lallana still has Champions League in sights

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has insisted the Reds have not given up hope of qualifying for next season's Champions League ahead of Tuesday's trip to Hull City.

A goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday left Liverpool struggling to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

But, unusually, Liverpool had cause to thank local rivals Everton after the Toffees beat Manchester United 3-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday.

United remained fourth in the table but are now just seven points ahead of Liverpool, who have a game in hand on Louis van Gaal's side.

And Lallana believes that if Liverpool win all of their final five games of the season –- starting with Tuesday's clash at the KC Stadium –- they could secure a coveted spot in European football's elite competition.

"We'll dust ourselves down, go again, go to Hull and try to get three points to hopefully put as much pressure on the teams above us as possible," said Lallana.
"I still feel that if we pick up maximum points from the remaining games, we'll be unlucky not to get into that fourth spot. It's still possible and while it's still possible, we'll keep giving our all," he added.

"We've just got to focus on ourselves. It'll be a difficult place to go -- they (Hull) are still fighting for their lives down at the bottom.

"It will be a tough game, but we've got to go there and play our game and hopefully we'll get three points. You want to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible.”

Lallana, who joined Liverpool from Southampton in July 2014, has endured a difficult first season at Anfield with injuries but the 26-year-old is optimistic of a positive end to the campaign.

"It has been stop-start for me," said the England international. "I've been really frustrated. I'd get going and then find myself on the treatment table again.

"I'll be looking to push on towards the end of the season, do as well as I can. We've got an important run of games left and I want to be a big part of that."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects left-back Alberto Moreno to shake off a knock and be available but midfielder Lucas (thigh) and striker Daniel Sturridge (hip) are both doubtful

The Reds are one of four top-six teams Hull face in their remaining five fixtures.

Arsenal and Manchester United are also due to visit East Yorkshire before the end of the season, while the Tigers face a trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

Hull also have a home match with relegation rivals Burnley.

Hull battled to a goalless draw at Anfield in October and also took points from their away matches with Arsenal and Manchester City.

- Bruce boost -

Wing-back Ahmed Elmohamady said those results would give the Hull players confidence as they look to stay clear of the bottom three.

"It's all tough," the Egypt international said.

"Big teams like Arsenal and Liverpool, we got the results against them away. We need to play these games with confidence."

Hull ended a six-match winless run with victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday, when striker Dame N’Doye scored both goals to take his tally to five in 10 appearances since joining at the start of the season.

Elmohamady believes manager Steve Bruce deserves credit for keeping spirits high during a challenging period.

“He's an experienced manager, he's been in this situation before," Elmohamady explained.

"In training, he's never down. He keeps everyone focused, happy and positive.

"When you go into a game, to have confidence, especially in this position, is the most important thing."

Hull are likely to field a similar team to that which beat Palace, although midfielder David Meyler is available again after suspension.
Source: AFP