Brendan Rodgers hails Liverpool character, targets top four

The hosts produced one of their best performances of the season, dominating Arsenal with a speedy passing game in which Philippe Coutinho and Serb Lazar Markovic were instrumental.

They enjoyed 65 percent of possession and had four times as many attempts on goal, yet still trailed 2-1 going into stoppage time after the visitors had come from behind; goals from Frenchmen Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud cancelling out Philippe Coutinho’s opener.

But the Reds, who had Fabio Borini sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession in the second half, scored a late equaliser through Martin Skrtel’s last-gasp header.

The point, earned by Martin Skrtel's last-gasp header, left Liverpool in 10th place going into the hectic Christmas fixture list, nine points behind fourth-placed West Ham United.

While it looks an unpromising position, Rodgers believes his side are beginning to gel after a poor start to a campaign which has already seen them bow out of this season's Champions League.

And the character showed by his side to continue fighting is why Rodgers believes they can still achieve a top-four finish this season and qualify for Europe’s elite club competition.

"It says everything. Slowly we are getting back to where we want to get to. That is one defeat in eight. Our performance today was outstanding: the passing and intensity and the pressing in our game is starting to return so we are disappointed with the goals we conceded, especially at the end of the first half.

"But the character and the quality of the team was very good. We have played better and dominated more than we did last year when we won 5-1 (in March). I think that tells you everything about the performance. We conceded only three shots on target to one of the top teams in European football at keeping the ball and, very importantly for me, I see our our idea starting to return again.

"It (the top four) is always going to be a big challenge and of course we have to make up points but we have shown this is a club that can go on a run of games. In the second half of last season we went on a run of 11 wins. If we can put a run together than can quickly move you up. The most important thing is the confidence and align that with bringing back (Daniel) Sturridge in January and we can get back to being that team we have been. There is a bit of work to do but at least we are moving in the right direction."

Sitting in 10th position in the Premier League, currently nine points off the top four as we approach a hectic festive period, it seems unlikely that Liverpool will again be able to qualify for the Champions League. But, in truth, it would be foolish to write them off, mainly because every team, apart from Chelsea and perhaps Man City, has been pretty poor this season.

Liverpool have suffered one defeat in eight, and although their confidence would have taken a hit following the Champions League exit, there seems to be some substance in what Rodgers is saying; Liverpool do look to be getting back to where they once were - albeit very slowly.

The performance against Arsenal, in which they controlled possession and had 27 shots on goal, showed real promise, and if Liverpool can come through the games against Burnley, Swansea, Leicester and Sunderland over Christmas relatively unscathed, then their league position will be looking much prettier. Top four maybe a stretch, though.

Andy Hunter (The Guardian): Liverpool played with the intensity that had been the hallmark of Rodgers’ teams until this season’s rapid reverse, dominated possession and chances created, and refused to go quietly even after Fabio Borini’s late dismissal for two bookable offences. But the points and poor defending at set-pieces were not all the teams shared. The pair continue to find momentum elusive or convince that they can be anything more than dots in the rear-view mirrors of Chelsea and Manchester City.

Oliver Kay (The Times): These are anxious times at Anfield, but Martin Skrtel’s goal, in the seventh minute of stoppage time, ensured that Liverpool were at least thankful for the small mercy of a point in a game that they had dominated for long periods. It was a performance that suggested that Liverpool’s confidence is returning, but, as against Manchester United a week ago, they showed a lack of cutting edge in attack and a total lack of resilience in defence.