Kenny Dalglish admits Liverpool face uphill battle to attain European football

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Kenny Dalglish admits Liverpool have to overcome an uphill battle if they are to compete in Europe next season.

The Reds were recently knocked out of the Europa League by Braga, who beat the Merseyside outfit 1-0 in their own backyard before carving out a goalless draw at Anfield in the return leg.

Considering the FA Cup draw, Dalglish’s charges now have to finish fifth in the Premier League to avoid missing out on a continental competition for the first time in over a decade.

“I don’t know if it will be a help not being in the Europa League,” said Dalglish.

“It the Europa League was an option for us to get back into Europe next year if we’d won it.

“But we know that in every league game we will have to try to get as much as we possibly can.

“We were going to do that any way, so I don’t know if it will be a blessing or not.

“You only get in Europe if you win games. If you win enough games and get enough points we will get in Europe.”

Andy Carroll, who was making his first start for the Merseysiders, came closest to levelling the aggregate. But the ball did not end up in the back of the net, and the Reds eventually bowed out of the tournament.

“He was a wee bit unfortunate not to score a goal,” said Dalglish. “But considering it’s his first start he can be pleased how he played.”