Not so long ago Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was insisting his side could still mount a challenge for the Premier League title.
How times have changed.
Now having gone four league games without a win, Benitez has reassessed his team's credentials and believes his side can outmuscle their rivals to claim fourth spot instead.
The battle looks set to be a four-way tussle with Merseyside rivals Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
Liverpool can reclaim fourth spot from Everton's grasp tonight with victory at West Ham - if other results go their way - and Benitez feels his squad are best prepared to finish in the final Champions League spot.
"We still believe we are best placed to finish fourth," he said.
"We are not happy that it has become difficult. But we have one game in hand and we must get back to fourth and then try to catch the third-placed team.
"I think we are the best equipped to be fourth, at least. Martin O'Neill at Villa and Sven (Goran Eriksson) at City may say different and Everton too, but I have confidence in my team.
"We feel we can do it and we must start winning again, which will take us higher again.
"We have enough quality and the experience of playing at this level. That could be crucial because we have been here before."
Returning to winning ways is easiest said than done given that Liverpool have drawn their last four league outings.
And aside from a 2-1 league win at Derby on Boxing Day they have not won on the road since a 3-0 success at Newcastle in November.
"The key is to focus on every game and not think about the rest. West Ham will be tough opposition, they have beaten Manchester United and have improved," Benitez said.
"Obviously away games are always more difficult, but we must win this one and beat Sunderland on Saturday ahead of going to Chelsea the following week.
"It is difficult to explain why we have not been getting the results, but we have been creating the chances. We just need to be more precise in our finishing and things will be okay."
How times have changed.
Now having gone four league games without a win, Benitez has reassessed his team's credentials and believes his side can outmuscle their rivals to claim fourth spot instead.
The battle looks set to be a four-way tussle with Merseyside rivals Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
Liverpool can reclaim fourth spot from Everton's grasp tonight with victory at West Ham - if other results go their way - and Benitez feels his squad are best prepared to finish in the final Champions League spot.
"We still believe we are best placed to finish fourth," he said.
"We are not happy that it has become difficult. But we have one game in hand and we must get back to fourth and then try to catch the third-placed team.
"I think we are the best equipped to be fourth, at least. Martin O'Neill at Villa and Sven (Goran Eriksson) at City may say different and Everton too, but I have confidence in my team.
"We feel we can do it and we must start winning again, which will take us higher again.
"We have enough quality and the experience of playing at this level. That could be crucial because we have been here before."
Returning to winning ways is easiest said than done given that Liverpool have drawn their last four league outings.
And aside from a 2-1 league win at Derby on Boxing Day they have not won on the road since a 3-0 success at Newcastle in November.
"The key is to focus on every game and not think about the rest. West Ham will be tough opposition, they have beaten Manchester United and have improved," Benitez said.
"Obviously away games are always more difficult, but we must win this one and beat Sunderland on Saturday ahead of going to Chelsea the following week.
"It is difficult to explain why we have not been getting the results, but we have been creating the chances. We just need to be more precise in our finishing and things will be okay."
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