Kenny Dalglish: Champions League is "big ask" for Liverpool

Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes that the Reds must take maximum points for the rest of the season to stand any chance of finishing in the top four.

The Reds are currently ninth in the Premier League, 12 points off Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy the final Champions League place.

"There are 12 games left and so 36 points to play for," Dalglish wrote in his column in The Mirror.

"With Arsenal and Everton also competing for the Champions League places, that means Kop boss Brendan Rodgers really cannot afford to drop a point for the rest of the season to finish in the top four – and, even then, Spurs and Arsenal have to drop a dozen points.

"It is a big ask."

Liverpool host Swansea City on Sunday.