text: Brendan Rodgers conceded defeat in his quest for the top four and admitted this slide out of the elite will damage Liverpool in the transfer market. Rodgers knows he must work harder to sell Anfield as a destination for ambitious players without the lure of a Champions League campaign — and to keep those who might be hankering after a move, such as Raheem Sterling. ‘It makes it difficult, there’s no doubt about that,’ said the Liverpool manager. ‘Most players want to be in the Champions League. They want to play at the top level of the game and if you’re not in the Champions League it makes it difficult for you. We know that. Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has conceded defeat in his quest for the top four . Liverpool players leave the pitch after the 4-1 defeat against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon . Arsenal have won 17 of their 20 games since Christmas in all competitions. That includes 12 Premier League wins, one in the Champions League and four FA Cup victories. ‘It’s going to be a little like this until we become more stable. We’ve got young players who are growing, getting more experience and then hopefully there will be a period where we qualify again. We want to be in the Champions League. That’s important and it is key for us. ‘It’s highly unlikely this year. But Liverpool is a great club. I said that before I came into it. It’s a phenomenal club that players want to play for.’ Rodgers starts the week seven points adrift of the Champions League places with fourth-placed Manchester City playing tonight at Crystal Palace. Successive defeats against direct rivals Manchester United and Arsenal have seen him write off his top-four hopes. ‘I’m a realist,’ said the Liverpool boss. ‘We needed to take something from Arsenal. If we’d done that then our chances would have been greater. I wouldn’t expect the others to slip up, particularly Arsenal or Manchester United. I don’t expect them to do that. Add to that, the sort of growing number we’ve got unavailable I think it will make it very, very difficult with only seven games to go.’ Rodgers will instead prioritise the FA Cup. It is nine years since Liverpool won the trophy but indiscipline is eating away at his options ahead of Wednesday’s quarter-final replay against Blackburn. Anthony Taylor had no choice but to send Emre Can off after he committed a poor tackle on Danny Welbeck . Jordan Henderson tried to argue Can's case after the defender saw red for a second bookable offence . Centre halves Emre Can and Martin Skrtel are suspended, which will not help solve the defensive shambles which unfolded at the Emirates Stadium. Steven Gerrard is also banned after being sent off against United. Mario Balotelli ruled himself out of the 4-1 defeat at Arsenal, complaining of an unspecified knee injury after training on the eve of the game, while Daniel Sturridge played and did not look confident about his own fitness after pulling out of England duty with a hip injury. After selling Luis Suarez last summer and starting the campaign poorly, Liverpool recovered, only to lose their impetus after beating Manchester City a month ago. ‘We always felt this year was going to be difficult, that was the reality of it,’ said Rodgers. ‘Our run last year nearly brought us the title. We lost a world-class player and lots of other developments happened within the club. Mario Balotelli (left) ruled himself out of the defeat after complaining of an unspecified knee injury . Rodgers cites losing a 'world-class player' like Luis Suarez (right) has made things difficult for Liverpool . ‘But it’s frustrating that we got ourselves in a position over the last three months, very close, to then come up short in the past two games. I look at Arsenal and their bench, the players, the world-class players on the field with big talent and it shows the continual work we have to do. ‘We don’t give up. We will fight right to the end. Obviously the FA Cup is a priority for us. But there’s been lots of positives from it, looking at players’ development, seeing players grow, it’s been good. ‘And, as a manager not that long in the game, it’s been great for me up to this point, learning about the dynamics of everything. We can still fight and we have an obligation to represent the supporters in the last seven games, and in the FA Cup, to finish as well as we can.’ Liverpool will meet Arsenal again at Wembley in the FA Cup final, if it all goes to form, and Arsene Wenger’s team are finishing the season in irresistible form. The Arsenal players celebrate Hector Bellerin's goal during the 4-1 victory on Saturday . They have won 17 of 20 games in all competitions since Christmas, a sequence spoiled by the aberration in the first leg against Monaco in the Champions League. There are grounds for optimism at the Emirates but Wenger has good vibes about the future. ‘We have a good mentality and good cohesion in the team,’ said the Arsenal boss. ‘There is something happening. That shows you that they are ready to fight for each other. You can see that. 'You can’t cheat on that. People smell that.That of course is a good basis, and defensively we are getting better. I think you also have to give credit to players who get less, such as Francis Coquelin. ‘But I am old enough to know that things are never as comfortable as they look. Let’s judge at the end of the season. ‘We’re on a good run and it will be down to how we can maintain that focus and urgency.’
target: Liverpool suffered 4-1 Premier League defeat by rivals Arsenal .
  The defeat greatly reduced Liverpool's chances of top four finish .
  Brendan Rodgers admits top players want Champions League football .