Liverpool striker Peter Crouch admits there's no excuses for how far they've fallen behind the Premiership leaders.

"For a club like Liverpool the gap is undoubtedly too big and that's a major disappointment," he told liverpoolfc.tv. "I think when we started this season we all felt that we were going to mount a serious challenge but that doesn't seem to be the case at the minute.

"We've fallen way behind and, like Stevie (Gerrard) said, it isn't good enough.

"I think there's enough talent in the dressing room.

"We've got a good squad of players. Whether it's good enough to win the title I don't know, but it's certainly good enough to be in a better position than the one we're in.

"As players we have to look to cement that Champions League spot for next year.

"I think that's the minimum and anything upwards of that is what we've got to strive for."