Liverpool need strong start for top four - Lucas

The Reds were playing catch up all last season after winning just four of their opening 12 games and the midfielder says improved pre-season preparation is key

Lucas Leiva has insisted Liverpool must start the season strongly if they are to secure a return to the Champions League

Brendan Rodgers's men finished just two points adrift of Manchester City when coming runners-up in the 2013-14 season, but limped to a disappointing sixth-place finish last term.

A slow start, with just four wins from their opening 12 Premier League matches, saw them playing catch up all season, eventually finish eight points off fourth spot as they had to settle for a Europa League place.

However, Rodgers has brought in six new signings already this summer, including Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Danny Ings and Nathaniel Clyne, and Lucas wants the newly assembled squad to hit the ground running.

"It's always the same. We would like to challenge for the top four, we missed [it] last year," Lucas told the club's official website.

"I think the important thing for us is to start the season well, we didn't last year, which cost us probably.

"The second part of the season we played well and we won a lot of games but the beginning of the season wasn't good enough. With the new signings as well, it's always exciting but we just need to see how the group develops in pre-season and start on the front foot.

"Our first seven away games are hard and we will have to start well otherwise by December we won't be in a good position."