Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admits he's surprised to hear they could qualify for the Europa League through the Fair Play League.

There is the slimmest of chances they could win a Europa League place via UEFA's Fair Play League as they lie second in the English one behind Arsenal - though Rodgers is only interested in getting there by right.

The Kop boss, whose side are at rock-bottom Reading today, joked: "I've honestly never thought of it. Maybe we should get a couple of sendings-off or bookings!

"We want to get in with our performance level and it's highly unlikely we would get that route. It's the top three countries and we're fourth, but it is not something I would be keen on.

"I want to get there through the right means. There's a pride thing. You want to get in it by performing and through the positions.

"And if we are to have a year where we are not in it, it's going to give us an opportunity to push on.

"The Europa League was a long journey this year and, don't get me wrong, we enjoyed it and were disappointed when we came out of it.

"But through the fair play route the competition starts even earlier.

"I'd prefer to be in it by qualifying through the league or winning a trophy.

"If it's not that way, then we as a club are better suited to re-aligning our focus to domestic cups and the league."