STEVEN GERRARD HAS warned Liverpool they cannot afford to keep dropping points if they want to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Arsenal currently occupy the much coveted fourth spot, with the Merseyside outfit trailing the Gunners by 10 points following their 2-1 loss to Arsene Wenger’s men on Saturday.

Kenny Dalglish’s side already have European football guaranteed for next season after lifting the Carling Cup and earning a place in the Europa League, but Gerrard insists the players must not give up in their pursuit for a place in Europe’s top competition.

“A few weeks ago, people were writing off Arsenal’s season, but their recent performances show how foolish that is. That’s what we need to do now,” Gerrard told the Daily Mirror.

“We still have plenty of points to play for in the league, but it means we can’t afford to drop too many more points between now and the middle of May if we want to get back into the top four.”

“Competition for the (fourth) Champions League spot is very tough, but we still have to play most of the teams around us, and defeating those sides will still play a major part in deciding where we finish.”

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