Liverpool are realistic contenders for Champions League places - Jamie Carragher

LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher believes the Merseyside club will be glad they dropped out of the Europa League on Thursday night.

Liverpool players celebrate a goalGETTY

Liverpool beat Manchester City 2-1 today

The Reds lost on penalties to Besiktas in the week, ending their European hopes of another season.

But they are still competing on two fronts this campaign - the FA Cup and the Premier League, where a top-four position is now a real possibility after their victory over Manchester City today.

Difficult preparation for Liverpool - Rodgers [AMBIENT]

And Carragher believes Brendan Rodgers' squad will greatly benefit from their lack of Thursday-Sunday fixtures this spring.

"Rodgers has always said that winning a trophy and making the top four would constitute a great season and I totally agree," he wrote in his Sky Sports column.

"Liverpool have still got the FA Cup - and going out of the Europa League will make it a lot easier for them to get into those Champions League places.

"I'm looking at the bigger picture. I've got a hunch Liverpool will look back at the Besiktas result and think it was the best thing in the long run."

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