The Anfield side,

are now nine points off a Champions League place having endured their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign.

No team has ever finished higher than sixth with the same points haul after 17 games, but Rodgers is convinced his side can make up the gap, with injured strikerDaniel Sturridge set to return in the New Year.Rodgers said: “I think we can make an impression on the top four in the second half of the season. Absolutely.”

“It is always going to be a big challenge, of course. We have to make up points - but we have shown this is a club that can go on a run of games.

“In the second half of last season we went on a run of 11 wins. The most important thing is the confidence – we have shown real confidence, our performance was outstanding in the passion and intensity. Bring Sturridge back in January and we can get back to being that team.

“I really felt we played better and dominated more than when we beat Arsenal here 5-1 last season. I thought we were brilliant, and when we play our game, we are a difficult team to play against. Hopefully it will bring us in to what we have had in my time here, being stronger in the second half of the season.”Rodgers’ team created an incredible 27 chances and dominated with 63.5 per cent possession – the visitors’ lowest since stats began.

But the Reds still gave soft goals to Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud, after Philippe Coutinho had scored a fine opening goal. They also had sub Fabio Borini sent off for two bookable offences. And Rodgers is realistic enough to admit that continuing defensive frailty could still undermine his side’s campaign.

“A lot of our goals we give away are poor goals. I thought Sanchez dived to win the free-kick before the first goal , but when it came in we lost three one-vs-one headers,” he explained.

“That is not about organisation that is about winning the duel. We have to improve that - the first goal was one where we have to defend it better. We lost three headers which can’t happen. The second one we can stop it before it breaks away. There are all areas we can improve.”Rodgers’ team created an incredible 27 chances and dominated with 63.5 per cent possession – the visitors’ lowest since stats began.

But the Reds still gave soft goals to Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud, after Philippe Coutinho had scored a fine opening goal. They also had sub Fabio Borini sent off for two bookable offences. And Rodgers is realistic enough to admit that continuing defensive frailty could still undermine his side’s campaign.

“A lot of our goals we give away are poor goals. I thought Sanchez dived to win the free-kick before the first goal , but when it came in we lost three one-vs-one headers,” he explained.

“That is not about organisation that is about winning the duel. We have to improve that - the first goal was one where we have to defend it better. We lost three headers which can’t happen. The second one we can stop it before it breaks away. There are all areas we can improve.”