Liverpool boss Brendan Rodger has a stark warning for Manchester United if they fail to finish in the top four.
The Reds boss has said that his Manchester United counterpart David Moyes will struggle to attract top talent if United is not involved in the Champions League.
United will face the high flying Reds on Sunday at Old Trafford nine points behind fourth placed Manchester City who have two games in hand over their neighbours.
Liverpool meanwhile is 11 points above Manchester United tied in second place with Arsenal meaning that United will need a run of good results to have any chance of finishing in the top four.
If Liverpool can maintain their present form they will qualify for the Champions League for the first time in four years, and now that now being so close they cannot afford to slip up with Rodgers well aware of what they must do telling Sky Sports.
“We still have a lot of work to get in to the Champions League,” he said.
“But when you’re not in it, even though this club is a worldwide, monumental club, we found it difficult because the best players want to play in the best competitions.
“This was Liverpool and we weren’t in the Champions League. In order to get in some of the type of players we want, that’s where we need to be and we’re trying to be.
“Any club will suffer the same when they’re not in there. There is no doubt it will hurt you, but they (United) will know that.”
Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005 after an epic final in Istanbul yet has not won the English title since 1990 with Rodgers warning that United could face a similar fate.
“We were talking about the great Liverpool teams – one year becomes two and then all of a sudden it was 20 years since they won the title,” he added. “It can get away from you very quickly.
“It’s our focus and drive to arrive back (in the Champions League). We have a long way to go but have shown great potential to be in there. I believe if we can get to that level then it gives us a massive advantage as a club.”
