Ronald Koeman has conceded that Southampton's Champions League qualification hopes are all but over after losing 1-0 to Everton.
The Saints had the chance to move above Liverpool into fifth if they picked up all three points against the Toffees, but Phil Jagielka's header seems to have ended any possibilty of finishing in the top four for Koeman's men.
"You never know - everybody has difficult games to play - but it's not realistic at this moment to think about the top four. It's more realistic to think about the Europa League," the Dutchman told reporters.
"It's difficult now because of the start we had, that teams are now playing differently against us, even at home - that's out of respect but it makes it more difficult.
"We have to find the different ways of getting around that and we keep going until the end of the season because getting into the Europa League would be a great achievement."
Tottenham Hotspur have the chance to move above both Liverpool and the Saints with a win over Burnley on Sunday.
Sam McEvoy
