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Nathaniel Clyne wants a Champions League spot with Liverpool

(L-R) Joshua King (R) and Max Gradel of Bournemouth (L) battle with Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool (C)
Image: Nathaniel Clyne (middle) is hoping to help Liverpool to a better Premier League position than last season

Nathaniel Clyne says Brendan Rodgers' reshaped Liverpool side is looking for a top-four place in the Premier League as a minimum requirement this season.

The Anfield team started the campaign well with two 1-0 wins against Stoke and Bournemouth and they face Arsenal next on Monday at the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool finished second two years ago but failed to build on that last term, ending in sixth instead and qualifying only for the Europa League.

This time around Clyne, recruited from Southampton for a fee of around £12.5m this summer, wants back into the Champions League again.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: "We're involved in a lot of competitions. We've got Europe, the FA Cup and the Premier League.

"We are going to try to go into those games looking to win every single one of them. The aim is top four or anything higher. We've done a lot of work on the training field and organisation.

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"Everyone knows their roles and their jobs. We've also the hunger to defend and try to keep the ball out the net. That's the main thing really."

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Clyne is one of seven signings made by Rodgers this summer and the 24-year-old feels another, striker Christian Benteke, can play an influential part.

He scored his first goal for the club to settle the contest with Championship winners Bournemouth and there are high hopes for the Belgian on Merseyside.

Clyne added: "He dominates in the air and you can see in training how powerful and strong he is. He's a real target for us physically.

Christian Benteke celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Bournemouth
Image: Christian Benteke celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Bournemouth

"He's a good finisher as well and his qualities are holding the ball up and bringing other players into play.

"That's lovely for myself as well because I like to join in with the attacks and put crosses into the box for him to score with his head."

Liverpool's start is better than Arsenal's, who lost their opening fixture at home to West Ham then won 2-1 at Crystal Palace last weekend.

Clyne is relishing the chance to take them on in London on Monday and feels stopping home player Alexis Sanchez will be crucial if Rodgers' team are to take anything from the match.

Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates the own goal scored by Damien Delaney of Crystal Palace during the Barclays Premier League match at Selhurst Park
Image: Clyne has pinpointed Alexis Sanchez as the man Liverpool need to stop at Arsenal on Monday

He said: "You look at all his movements, how he picks up the ball and receives it and how he takes on players and whether he comes inside or outside.

"He's a great player and he works hard so we're going to have to do a good job in stopping him."

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