European glory on verge of being snatched from Liverpool after second big defeat in a row

Liverpool fans, and even the city's main newspaper, reacted in dismay Sunday to Liverpool FC's humiliating 4-1 defeat against Arsenal.

As fans called for manager Brendan Rodgers to be fired, the Liverpool Echo's Anfield reporter James Pearce, commenting on what he described as a capitulation asked: where was the character, where was the backbone?

Pearce said Liverpool faces another painful wait on the outside of Europe's elite after months of hard work was squandered in just two games.

Just weeks ago after a lengthy run of wins, Liverpool fans saw real hopes of the club ending in the top four, with European Champion League beckoning.

The club is in now in fifth place with a mountain to climb, seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City and 16 points behind leaders Chelsea.

The momentum has been lost and Liverpool's revival has been unceremoniously halted, said the Echo analysis.

"A fortnight ago Brendan Rodgers' buoyant side were licking their lips in anticipation at embarking on a revenge mission against Manchester United. A 13-game unbeaten Premier League run had provided the platform for the Reds to push on and achieve their target of Champions League qualification. Now those hopes lie in tatters. Rather than showcase their top-four credentials, Liverpool have been found wanting.

"Damaging back to back defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal have effectively ended the Reds' interest in the tussle at the top end of the table. All that hard work to get themselves back in contention has been squandered."

Liverpool have been absent from Europe's elite for five season, with the club set to lose 60 million U.S dollars from the new television deal alone if they fail to qualify this year, as seems likely unless there is an end of season miracle according to seasoned followers of the team.

The Echo's Pearce adds: "The Reds boss also knows from bitter experience how difficult it is to attract top players when you don't have the Champions League carrot to dangle. The 116 million pounds Liverpool spent last summer was supposed to ensure that the club continued to move forward following last season's thrilling title challenge. But this demolition by Arsenal laid bare the Reds' glaring weaknesses. How they missed the suspended duo of Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard. The defensive resilience Liverpool's resurgence has been built on was nowhere to be seen in the capital. They had gone nearly 10 hours of football away from home in the Premier League without conceding a goal. But that run was ended in brutal fashion."

It was the heaviest defeat of Rodgers' reign, a damning indictment said the Echo of the failure to replace Luis Suarez following his move last season to Barcelona.

All eyes on football-crazy Merseyside will now focus on Wednesday's FA Cup quarterfinal replay against Blackburn Rovers. Soon-to-depart captain Steven Gerrard would like nothing better than to lift the famous FA trophy at Wembley next month. But a place in the final is two games away, the replay and - if they dispatch Blackburn - the semifinal.

Hundreds of fans took to social media, with the loyal and optimistic well outnumbered by many fans who have already written off the prospects of success for Liverpool. And the calls are growing for the US-based owners of Liverpool FC to show the red card to manager Rodgers. Endi