Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers praised his side's second-half performance in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but the result left his side facing an impossible task to finish in the top four.
The Merseysiders are six points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with two games left but have a goal difference that is 14 worse than their rivals.
They were behind to the champions with only five minutes gone when John Terry headed home from a corner, but Steven Gerrard levelled moments before half-time with a header of his own from a Jordan Henderson free-kick.
"I think we got off to an awful start," Rodgers told Sky Sports. "It was a disappointing goal from our perspective.
"We got ourselves back into the game, a good header from Stevie was well worked, and I thought in the second half we were outstanding but we just lacked that bit of quality in the final third."
#INSERT type:image caption:Gerrard, who levelled for Liverpool as they drew at Stamford Bridge, is applauded as he is substituted. END#
He praised Gerrard, who was applauded by Blues boss Jose Mourinho and many Chelsea fans when he was substituted late on, saying: "Steven has worked brilliantly and it [substituting him] was more just to give him the acclaim on what will probably be the last time he plays at Stamford Bridge.
"I think he's been a thorn in the side of Chelsea supporters because they know he's got star quality, but I think they recognised today the end of an era, of a special player."
Rodgers later told the BBC that working with Gerrard "has been a great privilege."
Gerrard said: "Chelsea fans have shown me respect for a couple of seconds but slaughtered me all day. What's important is the support from the Liverpool fans -- they've been with me from day one."
He said he had "huge respect" for Mourinho, adding: "I would have signed for him on three occasions if I wasn't such a big Liverpool fan.
"He's the reason my head was turned on a couple of occasions, but he knew why I couldn't do it -- because I love Liverpool Football Club."