Liverpool owner John W Henry has assured fans European football is a key target for their future.
Henry does recognise the need for the club to return to the top four, given Liverpool have struggled to lure players to Anfield this summer, most notably the Armenia midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, as they cannot offer Champions League football.
"I have high expectations," said Henry. "We had a very good second half of last season, the reports from training and the feeling within the club among the players, I think we will surprise people this year.
"This episode is not going to stop us. It can't. It needs to be playing in Europe. It needs to be playing in the Champions League. That's what Liverpool Football Club is about."
