Brendan Rodgers says this isn't the year for Liverpool but it'll feature in the top four reckoning

BRENDAN Rodgers concedes the title race is too much for Liverpool this season, especially after watching Chelsea surprise City.

LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers has conceded that his side won't contend an English Premier League title this season.

Sunday's 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion left Liverpool eight points behind leaders Arsenal ahead of their match against the Gunners at Anfield this weekend.

Liverpool's immediate priority is to maintain a top four position that will see them qualify for next season's Champions League.

But Merseyside rivals Everton are just a point behind Liverpool, with Tottenham Hotspur two adrift of the Reds.

Liverpool have been crowned champions of England on 18 occasions, a record since surpassed by archrivals Manchester United.

But none of those triumphs have come in the Premier League era, with the Merseysiders' most recent domestic title achieved in the 1989/90 season.

News_Rich_Media: The tam of the week from Round 24 of the EPL.

And Rodgers said that at the present time they were not going to end their title drought.

"I think for us, as a team, it's too early for that," he told Sky Sports on Wednesday.

"I was at the Manchester City-Chelsea game the other night and I look at the squads they have, which they have built up over the last few years, and it's very difficult for us even though we have competed right the way through the season.

"So, I wouldn't say for us this year, no. We wouldn't be challengers for it.

"Will we play a part in it (the title race)? Yes, we will, because we are professional and we want to fight to finish as high as we possibly can." The Northern Irishman added: "We look it (the table) and there are six points between us and Chelsea (whose 1-0 win at Eastlands left them level on points with second-placed City), so there is still a lot to play for and we will be fighting right until the very end.

"But, if I'm asked to give an honest answer, I'd probably say that this year is too soon for us." Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, believes the race will come down to the wire.

"It is never as simple as everyone predicts it," Wenger said. "I said a long time ago that nobody will be absolutely above (the others). It will be down to consistency."