Brendan Rodgers
Reuters

Brendan Rodgers has insisted that a loss against Arsenal will not be the end-all in terms of their challenge to finish in the top four this season.

The Reds visit the Emirates on Saturday in a top of the table clash and a win for either team will put them in pole position to go all the way in gunning for the title. Rodgers' team have started the season quite well as have Arsenal, but both teams are yet to face any severe tests so far and the winner of their clash will have the psychological advantage going into the season.

The Gunners are unbeaten in their last eight games in the league after their 3-1 loss to Aston Villa on the opening day of the season. Liverpool have also lost only one game thus far, which was against high flying Southampton at Anfield. However, Rodgers will believe that they have a viable chance against the Gunners this time around, having seen his opposition lose twice in as many weeks, against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, followed by a loss to Chelsea in the Capital One Cup.

However, when asked about this, Rodgers was diplomatic in his comment and refused to be dragged into putting out assertions for a title charge. Rodgers maintains that his aim is to make the top four this season and push for trophies when the club are in a stable position.

"This is a good benchmark for us. We have shown that we have quality in the team and that we have got a winning mentality, which is important. And we have shown that we can consistently bring that to the table. Saturday won't be the be-all-and-end-all in terms of whether we can make the top four or not, but I think what we have shown so far is that we are going to be in the conversation.," Rodgers said.

"We want to be challenging and winning trophies here. That's what Liverpool is about and there is never any shying away from that. That expectancy will always be here. That's something we relish and look forward to. I believe we are in a good moment. We have started the season as we would have wanted - strong. We are putting a marker down that we are going to be consistent. After that early period we've played very well. I think we can only get better and improve," he concluded.