article_snippet.sent: When the European portion of their season fizzled out, first in the big show and then in the Champions League, the Champions League offered an opportunity.
article_snippet.sent: Getting into the top-four without Luis Suarez and often in the absence of Daniel Sturridge would be an immense achievement.
article_snippet.sent: Having started the season so badly and recovered so impressively, the Champions League became a real possibility.
article_snippet.sent: Then two huge games - Manchester United and Arsenal.
article_snippet.sent: A top-four place is virtually gone, unless anyone can conceivably see anyone making up seven points and a massive goal difference on Manchester City.
article_snippet.sent: Something shiny and tangible and recently acquired face Blackburn with a defence looking as woefully shaky as Blackburn did at the start of the season.
article_snippet.sent: Without Martin Skrtel and Emre
article_snippet.sent: Can tonight a defence looking as woefully shaky as it did at the start of the season could be vulnerable again.
article_snippet.sent: Not ideal, though not necessarily a tremendous setback against a Championship side.
highlights_snippet.sent: Brendan Rodgers' side are all but out of the race for the top four .
  