Jurgen Klopp has told his players that aiming for a top-four finish this season in top-flight football presents itself as a challenge as well to the defending champions, according to reports from the Mirror.
Klopp’s men were involved in a rather lacklustre goalless draw on Sunday at Anfield when playing hosts to table-toppers Manchester United, with the stalemate meaning that the Merseyside Reds had gone four games without a win in league action.
Having conceded the top spot to Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s outfit in recent weeks, coupled with an upsurge in form witnessed by the likes of Leicester City and Manchester City, Klopp’s side fear out on missing on Champions League football for next season should they fail to pickup their downward spiral of late.
The Liverpool FC gaffer admitted in his post-match talk that his team faces a challenge to ensure qualification for Europe’s elite club competition as the recent campaign has brought around recurring problems on various fronts for the Anfield giants.
“I knew it always,” Klopp said.
“In the season we came second with 97 points, I only started thinking about winning the title when it was clear that we were in the Champions League. I know my job. I know what I have to do.
“I have to qualify for the Champions League and I know how difficult that is. You are right: that means this season will be a tough race for the top four that is for sure. Football fans are not the most patience species on this planet. They want to win each football game.
Sunday’s result on home turf for Klopp’s men was followed up with a resounding 4-0 win being recorded by Manchester City, who overtook the Reds into second place in the league table.
