Brendan Rodgers stressed his whole team were playing for their future at Liverpool Brendan Rodgers stressed his whole team were playing for their future at Liverpool

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists the owners will support the club with marquee signings this summer.

Speaking after the 1-0 defeat by Hull, which put a huge dent in their Champions League ambitions this season, Rodgers conceded that his current squad required strengthening.

A place in the Europa League is also far from assured, underlining why Rodgers is under pressure after a season when they have not been able to cope with the sale of Luis Suarez and injuries to Daniel Sturridge.

"You can't hide the fact we've lost over 50 goals," said Rodgers. "Even with those players we weren't tipped to get in the top four and we haven't got those players now. We have to work with what we've got.

"Now we have to look to improve the squad and it's always great if you can get marquee players to come in and help you. The owners will support that.

"Everyday you come into work at Liverpool you are working for your future."

Rodgers will be heading into his fourth season at Anfield in August, a tenure that has so far yielded seventh and second-place finishes.

And the Northern Irishman says after the heights of last season, this term was always going to be tough.

"We want to be in the top four, but that was always going to be difficult because we were playing catch up for a lot of the season.

"We lost a couple of big games which dented our confidence a bit. I need to build a team that can get through the rough waters as well. We need a team that can get through the smooth and the rough.

"That will be my challenge - to rebuild a group that can get through the rough waters."

The Liverpool boss jumped to the defence of beleaguered striker Mario Balotelli, who was substituted midway through the second half after another ineffectual performance - but he warned the whole Reds squad were playing for their futures.

"Mario is doing his best – he’s come off with a foot injury - but I think it’s clear over the course of the season, not just in this game, that he’s struggling.

“But Mario has got a few years left on his contract and it is fair to say that every single player here is playing for his future.”