Agger: No room for slip-ups

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger says the Reds will only have themselves to blame if they fail to reach the Champions League this season.

The Reds are currently sixth in the Barclays Premier League table, four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.

However, they have a chance to reduce that deficit at home to bottom side Portsmouth on Monday night.

"We can't slip up any more because it's getting to the end of the season and we know we need more points," said Agger. "I can't imagine not being in the Champions League. That's the tournament we all want to be in.

"But it's our own fault where we are now and we have to get out of it.

"The fans have a right to expect Liverpool to be in the top four.

"A big club like Liverpool should be in there every year, but as we know football doesn't always work like that.

"The pressure of that shouldn't come into it. When you come to a club like this there will always be pressure to be successful.

"Maybe we'll have to start to imagine not being in the top four. But for as long as we have a chance we have to keep believing.

"If you play at a football club like Liverpool you always need to take responsibility, no matter who you are. You do that on and off the pitch, but you must definitely do it in the games."

Agger admits Monday night is a must-win game if Liverpool are to retain hopes of Champions League qualification.

"The performance doesn't matter as much as getting the three points," said the centre-back. "We need to get some victories quickly and move on to get ourselves up the table.

"Every week we say this is a big week. Last week people said it was a defining week as well.

"We need to focus on the next game first, not the games after that. It's as straightforward as that."

The Reds may have struggled this term, but Agger remains fully committed to the Merseysiders.

"I wouldn't walk away. I'd fight to put it right next year because I'm not a quitter," he added. "I've been close to winning trophies, but I still don't have any.

"That's a big disappointment because that's the reason I came to Liverpool."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the views or position of Liverpool Football Club.