Liverpool are determined to use the rest of this season to demonstrate to Europe that they are a team of UEFA Champions League quality, according to David Ngog.
The Reds have suffered a campaign to forget after being dumped out of the European Cup at the group stages, while they are also flailing in the Premier League.
Such poor form has led doubters to realistically predict that Rafa Benitez's side may not qualify for next season's Champions League.
But Ngog has revealed that there is a steely determination among the Liverpool squad to deliver a signal of ability across the continent.
The France Under 21 international said: "We are a Champions League team, we all believe that. It is the club's status.
"Now we must all keep going, improving and make sure we do well enough in the Premier League to qualify for next season.
"We know we have the quality, and we are confident. We aim to show from now on that we should be in the Champions League."
Ngog is still dogged by the 'diving' allegation which has followed him since the penalty awarded against Birmingham at Anfield in November.
But he has brushed that aside, saying: "I am not that kind of player, people should know that. I felt the criticism was unfair, but I want to put it all behind me now."
Ngog has earned an extended run of games in Benitez's first XI during Fernando Torres' injury-enforced absence and he was showing signs of genuine promise.
A glaring miss in Saturday's stalemate at Blackburn, when the former Paris St Germain player hit the crossbar from point-blank range, has earned criticism.
But he remains keen to impress, saying: "I am enjoying my football here, I have been given my chance to show what I can do and I will always do that when an opportunity comes along again.
"All I can do is to continue to work hard and do my best for the team when I do get selected."
The Reds have suffered a campaign to forget after being dumped out of the European Cup at the group stages, while they are also flailing in the Premier League.
Such poor form has led doubters to realistically predict that Rafa Benitez's side may not qualify for next season's Champions League.
But Ngog has revealed that there is a steely determination among the Liverpool squad to deliver a signal of ability across the continent.
The France Under 21 international said: "We are a Champions League team, we all believe that. It is the club's status.
"Now we must all keep going, improving and make sure we do well enough in the Premier League to qualify for next season.
"We know we have the quality, and we are confident. We aim to show from now on that we should be in the Champions League."
Ngog is still dogged by the 'diving' allegation which has followed him since the penalty awarded against Birmingham at Anfield in November.
But he has brushed that aside, saying: "I am not that kind of player, people should know that. I felt the criticism was unfair, but I want to put it all behind me now."
Ngog has earned an extended run of games in Benitez's first XI during Fernando Torres' injury-enforced absence and he was showing signs of genuine promise.
A glaring miss in Saturday's stalemate at Blackburn, when the former Paris St Germain player hit the crossbar from point-blank range, has earned criticism.
But he remains keen to impress, saying: "I am enjoying my football here, I have been given my chance to show what I can do and I will always do that when an opportunity comes along again.
"All I can do is to continue to work hard and do my best for the team when I do get selected."
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