There may be only four games left to play, but Sammy Lee isn't throwing the towel in on Liverpool's target of a top four finish.
Despite the odds being stacked against them in the race for the final Champions League place, the Reds' assistant boss is remaining optimistic and clinging to the belief that a sharp turn in fortunes could be just around the corner.
"We need the points and we need to stick to our task and keep up on fight to finish as high up the table as we can," he added.
"At the end of the day it's our responsibility to make sure we get maximum points out of every game, and while it's still mathematically possible we won't be giving anything up.
"The crowd won't allow us that and we won't allow ourselves to give anything less than 100 per cent in every game."
Liverpool's next text will be on Monday night when relegation threatened West Ham United visit Anfield.
Despite their problems at the wrong end of the table, Lee knows from his time with the England national team that in Carlton Cole they will possess a striker who can cause damage if given the chance.
"Carlton is an excellent player with pace and a good touch," Lee told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"He has strength and there is a lot more to come from him and let's just hope he doesn't do it on Monday night!
The assistant boss also spoke of his admiration for Gianfranco Zola, who has come under pressure at Upton Park as the Hammers bid to stay in the top-flight.
"He is a lovely man and a good football person," Lee added.
"It's not for me to get involved in the politics of that football club but one thing is for sure and that is he will prepare them right alongside Steve Clarke and this will be a tough game.
"He is a young manager and I think he is doing very well under extreme circumstances.
"West Ham are a good footballing side and they got a good point away at Everton which isn't the easiest of places to go.
"They beat Sunderland in a real pressure game and they have had a bit of a resurgence. I say this every week but there are no easy games in this league. It will be difficult and they are fighting for their lives."
Sammy Lee is hoping Liverpool can show their true European pedigree when they take on Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
The Reds have already won the competition on three previous occasions and if they were to achieve glory in Hamburg on May 12, they would get to keep the trophy.
However, before any thoughts of that can become a reality Lee insists the team have a big job to do against a talented side who Liverpool know very well.
"It is a special occasion for this football club every time we play in a European semi-final and we do seem to have an affinity with Atletico Madrid," Lee told Liverpool.fc.tv.
"There will be two quality sides on show and a game when we need everybody to play their part.
"It will be special for Fernando to go back to Atletico but it will be special for us as well.
"We should really give great credit to Benfica because they are a very good footballing side and it took a tremendous performance from the lads to beat them.
"Our supporters always have a big part to play in what we do. I don't know what comes first, whether they get us going or we get them going, but the big thing is we are in all it together.
"You saw what happened against Benfica. We went into the second leg 2-1 down against a top quality side and it was night everybody played their part and the 12th man as always were fantastic.
"Only time will tell whether it's an advantage having the second game at Anfield, but we've got to make sure we come out on top."
Last season the two sides played out two 1-1 draws in the Champions League and Lee is under no illusions as to how tough a test Atletico will pose.
"They are a very good side and we know how difficult a tie this will be," he added.
"We had two tough games with them last season and in pre-season as well when they came to Anfield. We are well briefed. We know their strengths and weaknesses and we have a game plan. We will be ready for it."
source : Steve Hunter @lfc.tv
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