BR: It's important we're up there
Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Liverpool's ambitions do not end with fourth place in the Barclays Premier League as his mission to secure Champions League football continues.
The Reds finished in seventh place at the conclusion of the Northern Irishman's maiden season at the helm, ending the campaign with an undefeated streak of eight fixtures.
That momentum has been carried into 2013-14, with two league victories out of two and progress into the third round of the Capital One Cup secured so far.
"We're not entering the league just to be fourth," Rodgers told Robbie Savage for the BBC's Football Focus programme.
"Winning the league is about the best team not just the best players. That's our challenge.
"It's important for Liverpool to be up there; I think it's important for football for Liverpool to be there because this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. But it doesn't give you a divine right.
"We obviously had a hard start last season in terms of games, and the players coming back late to pre-season. That took us a wee bit of time to get going.
"But from the turn of the year, since January, we've been very strong. We're getting that consistency back.
"This year is a big year for us. I signed here for three years and the objective was, certainly in the third year, to be somewhere near challenging for the Champions League."
Liverpool's improved form during the second half of 2012-13 coincided with the January signings of striker Daniel Sturridge and attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho.
The boss continued: "Daniel Sturridge - that was a great piece of business by the club because, for me, he'll end up being one of the top European strikers over the next few years as long as he keeps his focus and keeps that work ethic.
"The likes of young Coutinho, they just need to play in a certain team and a certain style to show their qualities otherwise people might say he's too small. But he's got wonderful vision and touch."
The Reds will put their 100 per cent start on the line when reigning champions Manchester United visit Anfield on Sunday - a match the 40-year-old is keenly anticipating.
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"Over many years Liverpool v Manchester United was the game everyone watched on the television, with all the great players of the generations there," Rodgers added.
"Liverpool dominated it for many years. The passion for the game is still there. Obviously they are the champions and we're fighting to catch them."
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