Liverpool have refused to give up on their European goal... even if the Champions League now looks an impossible target.
The Reds produced a stirring fightback against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday afternoon to salvage a point after conceding two goals within half an hour. It leaves them with a yawning chasm to fourth place of 12 points, with only 27 more points available to them in their remaining nine games this season.
Yet while it is mathematically possible, Liverpool's players, who came so close to a historic quadruple last season, will refuse to give up on their dream. That's according to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who assisted Roberto Firmino's late equaliser against the Gunners.
Alexander-Arnold told Liverpool's website, "We have our targets and it's going to be difficult to get Champions League football now I think. But it's still mathematically possible, so as long as that's possible then that's what we go for.
"We're not in the position we want to be in at all but there's still nine games to go. That's where our heads are at – let's go and try to win all nine."
While the Champions League looks unreachable, Liverpool are still within striking distance of a Europa League spot. There will be two qualification spots available for UEFA's secondary club club competition if Sheffield United or Brighton do not win the FA Cup.
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The Blades, who are pushing for promotion from the Championship, face favourites Manchester City in the semi-finals in just under two weeks' time. Roberto De Zerbi's side, who are seventh in the Premier League, take on Manchester United in the other tie.
Man City are all but certain to qualify for the Champions League, while Man Utd have already guaranteed their European spot by winning the Carabao Cup. If they can thwart their respective FA Cup semi-final opponents, Liverpool's path will become clear.
The teams who finish fifth and sixth in the Premier League will qualify for the Europa League, with the team in seventh entering the Europa Conference League.
Tottenham are fifth, nine points ahead of Liverpool in eighth having played a game more. Aston Villa currently occupy what could be the second Europa League spot, as they sit in sixth. Yet Liverpool are just three points behind Villa with a game in hand.
Trailing around some of the more obscure outposts of European football would be small consolation to the Anfield club, but according to Cody Gakpo, it is still very much the aim.
"I believe in European qualification," added Gakpo. "We all still believe in it and that is our goal. You can’t start anything without faith, so we have to believe in it. The Arsenal game was a step in the right direction, now it is up to us to continue with this and keep up the intensity - every game has to be like the second half against Arsenal."
