Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina does not believe an early European exit would be a complete disaster. The Reds shot-stopper revealed his disappointment after his side conceded a late goal against Lyon in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
The 1-1 draw means Rafa Benitez's side must now win their remaining two games in Group E and hope already-qualified Lyon can do them a favour against Italian side Fiorentina.
However, Reina was quick to boast of Liverpool's superb record in the competition in recent seasons, and rebuffed claims that a group-stage exit would be a disaster for the club.
"I do not accept that not going through will be a disaster for the club," he said.
"We have been in the Champions League now for several years, one failure is not a disaster.
Record"Not many teams have reached the semi-finals twice and two finals - including a title victory - in the last few seasons.
"It can happen again, we get closer to our real form with every game.
"Any team would miss the quality of the players who are injured at the moment, but we have others who can play and who can produce the right performances to get us out of this mess."
Liverpool's next game in the tournament is a must-win trip to Debrecen on November 24, and Reina believes his team have to dig deep if they are going to pick themselves up.
"We must show heart, passion and belief," he added.
"If anyone can do this, Liverpool can. But now it (qualification) is not in our own hands, it does not only depend on what we do.
"Now it is very, very difficult for us. But we must show strong character and fight right to the end. We know we have enough good players to sort this out."
