Despite winning their last three Premier League matches, Liverpool still faces a significant challenge to secure a place in the Champions League this season due to their inconsistent form.
Jurgen Klopp has said Liverpool “will take what we get” as time runs out on their bid to qualify for the Champions League.
After Joel Matip’s second-half header at West Ham on Wednesday, Liverpool secured their third consecutive Premier League win, marking the beginning of a mini-revival towards the end of an otherwise inconsistent season.
However, they remain in seventh place in the league table, still seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, who have played a game less.
The match between Liverpool and Tottenham this Sunday is crucial in the race for Europa League qualification, as both teams are currently outside the top four and will need to settle for a spot in the second-tier European competition unless they can make a late push for Champions League qualification.
It’s a far cry from Liverpool’s expectations at the start of the season, but after a challenging year with injuries and poor form, the Reds will be hoping to salvage something from the campaign with a strong finish.
Klopp has emphasized that his main focus is on the next game and not on where Liverpool will finish in the league.
He has also stated that Liverpool need to take things step by step and not get ahead of themselves.
The German manager has highlighted the importance of finishing the season strongly and building momentum for next season.
Klopp believes that Liverpool have what it takes to compete at the highest level and that they will come back stronger next season.
Addressing the media on Friday morning, he insisted: “We will take what we get. We didn’t start the season saying it will be fantastic but the season taught us a few things. We want to create a basis to qualify for the best possible scenario. Squeeze everything out.”
Yes, that’s true. Liverpool would undoubtedly lose out on significant revenue streams if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, as the financial rewards for participating in the Europa League and Europa Conference League are significantly less.
This could potentially impact their ability to attract top-level players and invest in the squad during the summer transfer window, which could in turn have a knock-on effect on their competitiveness in the upcoming season.
However, Liverpool have a strong track record of smart transfer dealings, and Klopp has already indicated that the club will continue to look for value in the market rather than splash out on big-name signings.
So while missing out on the Champions League would be a setback, it may not necessarily mean the end of Liverpool’s ambitions to challenge for silverware in the near future.
The club have already had their hopes of signing Jude Bellingham scuppered, with Dortmund valuing the midfielder way above Liverpool’s proposed £80 million fee. And the German boss has already outlined the importance of the impending break to his side: “This year must be different,” he said this week.
“We have to step up. And we have to prepare that in the pre-season and that’s why I want them back together as quick as somehow possible, respecting the necessity of holidays.”