Champions League on Liverpool´s mind, says Johnson

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson says that his team-mates have a return to Champions League football in their sights.

The full-back scored a late goal to seal a 2-1 win at Chelsea in the English Premier League on Sunday, in a result that leaves Liverpool level with the Stamford Bridge club on 22 points and only goal difference from fourth place on the table.

The Anfield outfit were Champions League regulars until the 2010 season, when they failed to qualify for the competition for the first time in five years

Now, under Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool are targeting a return.

“We’re taking it game by game but our aim is the top four and that’s what we are fighting for,” Johnson told BBC Radio Merseyside.

“If we start getting a few more points at home and keep what we’re doing away, I’m sure we won’t be too far away.”

Johnson was especially pleased with his team’s composed performance on Sunday: “I think we dominated the first half, but Chelsea are a great side and we expected a reaction in the second half and we got that,” he said.

“Chelsea are always going to have periods of the game when they’re on top. I thought we dealt with it quite well. We conceded but I thought that was quite unfortunate.”

“We showed great character to bounce back. Our last game at home against Swansea was disappointing and then you come here and you do this – that’s typical of football.”