Henry: Top four minimum aim

Liverpool owner John Henry admits it will be “a huge disappointment” if the Reds fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.

Henry has made a top-four finish the target for Kenny Dalglish to hit and rates Manchester United as the favourites to be champions.

Henry told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet: “It’s too early for us to start talking about winning the league.

“In my opinion Manchester United are the ones to beat. They have a good squad, and look really good.

“Our main goal is to qualify for the Champions League. If we don’t it would be a huge disappointment.”

Liverpool drew with Norwegian side Valerenga 3-3 in Oslo last night – meaning they have now conceded 15 goals in five pre-season friendlies.

Forward Dirk Kuyt insists, however, they can put the defensive problems right before the start of the Barclays Premier League.

“I’m not concerned as it’s still pre-season. If we beat Sunderland in our first game then it’s been a good pre-season for us,” Kuyt told the Liverpool Echo.

“We have to do a little bit more to be ready for the league but we still have time to work on things. We had a good trip to Asia, we’ve all worked hard and the next step is to put that into the games.”