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Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Liverpool FC are drawing up two separate battle plans for the summer transfer window.

The manager admits what business the Reds do will depend on whether they have secured Champions League qualification.

Liverpool are well placed to end the club’s five-year absence from Europe’s elite and Rodgers knows a top-four finish is vital if he’s going to be able to strengthen his squad with top class talent.

The Reds have discovered to their cost in previous windows the difficulty of attracting the best without Champions League football having missed out on the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Diego Costa and Willian.

“You have to plan to succeed,” Rodgers told the ECHO.“It’s something we are doing already.

“There is no doubt that if you arrive in the Champions League, it opens up the market to a different quality and type of player.

“We are certainly not complacent but you certainly have to have two plans ready. There’s no doubt that where you finish and whether you have Champions League football can affect you.

“We know what being back in the Champions League can bring us. If we don’t make it there then we will still look to reinforce the squad in the summer and look to make more strides forward.”

Liverpool go into Saturday’s Premier League clash with Southampton at St Mary’s with a six-point cushion over fifth placed Tottenham.

Rodgers’ side also boast a much superior goal difference but the manager insists the Londoners remain a serious threat to the Reds’ hopes of a Champions League spot.

“Six points really isn’t a big gap,” Rodgers added.

“If you slip up and the others win then things can change quickly. There are 11 games to go and there are still 33 points to play for.

“There will certainly be no complacency from us. We have to go into every game and control our own destiny.

“If look at all the games we have left, every team will have something like to play for.

“We cannot worry about any other team. We believe in our ability at the moment and we are very confident.

“With the quality of our football, we know we are a match for any team. There are areas we need to get better at but that’s a constant process. We need to remain focused and look to achieve our targets.”

Rodgers must decide whether to reward Joe Allen with a start following his impressive cameo after coming off the bench against Swansea City last weekend.

If the Welshman starts in midfield then Philippe Coutinho is likely to make way.

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