Liverpoool boss admits missing out on competition may not be a bad thing.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has expressed his belief that missing out on Europa League qualification may not be a bad thing for the club according to Sky Sports.
The Anfield gaffer remains hopeful that his side can secure a place in the competition for next season but admitted there are some benefits from missing out on the tournament.
Rodgers insisted his side will be aiming for a top four finish next season and pointed out that spending a year without the additional distraction of European games could boost the club’s performance in the Premier League.
Rodgers stated that he felt Liverpool started the season with quite a small squad, and that while they are slowly adding to their numbers, the players may benefit from the extra fitness a reduced number of games could provide.
The former Swansea manager insisted that the team would give their all between now and the end of the season as they try to achieve as high a finish as possible in the Premier League. But Rodgers was keen to make the point that it would not be the end of the world if the side found themselves missing out on a place in Europe next season.
“We would love to be in there and we want to finish as high as we possibly can, but it won’t be the end of the world if we don’t qualify for Europe,” said Rodgers.
“If it doesn’t happen then it could end up being a blessing for us.
“It could allow us to have a real strong run at the league next year and that can then really springboard us for the years going forward.
“But ultimately we want a squad strong enough to be able to cope with European football as well as the domestic league and cups.”