Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits a top four finish may be out of reach.
The Reds host Southampton on Saturday evening.
The Reds go into the weekend seventh in the table, seven points off fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand.
Klopp said, “I am not sure there is still a chance [of a top-four finish] but we will try and if there is one, we will be there, for sure,” he said.
“Could we be fifth or fourth and not seventh? Yes, we could have done better in specific moments, but dealing with injuries was the biggest challenge.”
Klopp is also insisting their injury problems is cause for their poor season.
The German rejects criticism that he is seeking excuses.
He said, “We had too many injuries in key positions.
“People think it’s an excuse but we lost our full defence, it felt like we broke our leg. You can limp, with midfielders transformed to defenders, and the spine was broke. Then it’s difficult to move.
“I always try to learn,” he added. “Did I learn a lot? For sure. The players for sure, that’s clear. That’s the plan, to use the new experience for the future and next season but we have to wait until then to show we got it.”