Rafael Benitez is sure his side will be back playing in the Champions League next year despite their shock exit last night.

The Red's defeated Debrecen 1-0 courtesy of an early David N'Gog goal but still crashed out of Europe's elite competition due to results elsewhere not going their way.

And despite occupying only seventh position in the Premier League at the moment, Benitez is convinced his side's form will improve sufficiently to secure a top four spot and with it a return to Champions League action.

"I'm 100% sure we will finish in the top four this year," Rafa told Sky Sports. "We played really well tonight and showed that when everybody is fit we have a better squad than the teams who went through.

"We've had problems with injuries this season but today we had Gerrard back and Lucas back and we controlled the game and could have scored more goals.

"The performances overall have been good in most games but we conceded some disappointing late goals and didn't do well in Fiorentina. But that's football."

The Anfield manager's focus now turns to Sunday's derby game against Everton before he can think about competing in the Europa League for the first time in his reign at the club.

He added: "We can't talk about what will happen next month or next three months, first we must look to Sunday and Everton.

"This is the first time in five years we have failed to qualify and we will see what happens in the Europa League but we look to the next game first."

Liverpool have already been installed as favorites for this season's Europa League.