Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has warned that his club will face a tough time trying to recruit quality players in the summer if they miss out on a Champions League spot.

The Reds are seven points adrift of the Premier League top four after defeats to rivals Manchester United and Arsenal, leaving Rodgers fearing that his club may be left behind in the summer transfer market.

And that could be an even bigger blow with monies from a new TV rights deal ensuring that there is likely to be a major spend from all of the top teams in England.

Rodgers admitted: “Liverpool is a phenomenal club players want to play for, but players want to play at the top level. If you are not in the Champions League it makes it difficult for you.

“We always felt this year was going to be difficult, that was the reality of it. We lost a world-class player (Luis Suarez) and lots of other developments happened within the club.

“But it is frustrating that we got ourselves in a position over the last three months, to then come up short in the past two games.”

Shorn of the services of the suspended Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel and now Emre Can, sent off against the Gunners, Liverpool must ready themselves for a tough FA Cup sixth-round replay at Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday evening.

The two sides drew 0-0 at Anfield just under a month ago, with Aston Villa awaiting the winners in a Wembley semi-final.

Liverpool are 3.00 to lift the FA Cup this season, with Villa 8.00