'Liverpool in meltdown' says former Anfield boss

Steven Gerrard last night warned Liverpool must qualify for the Champions League after this miserable end to their woeful campaign.

Liverpool fell to yet another stoppage-time goal to lose successive European games at Anfield for the first time in their illustrious history.

And Gerrard claimed they cannot afford to miss out on a top-four finish to play in next season's competition.

"Overall we've not been good enough," said the Reds skipper. "Now we need to qualify for the same competition next year.

"The top four is always the priority at this club because of financial reasons and because the top players want to play in the Champions League.

"This is a big disappointment because when you are in the big competitions, you want to stay in them for as long as possible."

Alberto Gilardino bagged the winner in the second minute of stoppage time and Gerrard blamed Liverpool's weakened defence.

"If you make mistakes, you concede goals," he said. "We've been defending better of late and there were a lot of changes to the team.

"We made a lot of changes and this was not our strongest team."

Rafa Benitez admitted he must lift his side for Sunday's showdown with Arsenal and took heart from Fernando Torres' return from injury and Alberto Aquilani's full debut.

"I hope we will be ready for the next game," said the Liverpool boss. "We have a game against one of our rivals and that could be the beginning of a new season for us.

"It was good to see Aquilani and Torres play and they were the positive things."

Graeme Souness did not share Benitez's optimism and claims his old club are in "meltdown".

Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Reds boss said: "My big fear is that they are in meltdown. They are hundreds of millions of pounds in debt and if they don't get into the Champions League, the banks will be knocking on the door.

"If they don't qualify for the Champions League, the big players won't want to join."

"That would be the first time in as long as I can remember. They are hundreds of millions of pounds in debt and they need a new stadium to keep up with the rest and just stand still.

"Every year they are dropping off the pace so they need a new stadium.

"If they don't get to the Champions League the banks will be knocking on the door wanting to replace the income stream that the Champions League would give them.

"All those scenarios are frightening for Liverpool supporters.

"I can't see them becoming a Leeds United because I think there will always be someone out there, whether it be a Russian or someone from the Middle East, who deep down is a big fan and would get them out of a hole - a saviour if you like."

Souness said the priority now must be securing a top-four place in the league despite the lure of silverware elsewhere.

"I think there is real danger. They have to look at the second half of the season," he told Sky Sports.

"The Europa League means nothing to Liverpool. I'm a Liverpool supporter and I would love them to finish in the top four and win the Europa League and FA Cup.

"But if there was a choice of those three it would be to finish in the top four.

"If you are looking to move your club forward you have to encourage the best players to come to your club.

"If they are not in the Champions League that won't happen because you won't have the same income coming into the club.

"If you are already in debt the banks will put pressure on Liverpool because they want money from somewhere to lessen the debt they have right now."

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