LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, May 13, 2016: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp during a press conference at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final against Seville FC. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Klopp: Champions League is THE competition, we’re working to get there as soon as possible

Jurgen Klopp says the Champions League is THE competition and Liverpool are working hard to get there “as soon as possible.”

With 13 games to go, Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League table, just a point behind Spurs and Man City, and a point ahead of Man United.

Just four points separate Arsenal in second and United in sixth.

“Six good teams going for four places,” says Klopp.

With Chelsea‘s place pretty certain, it’s really five teams going for three places – and which two miss out will be crucial this summer.

“I am sure that England has to be the most difficult league in order to qualify for the Champions League, 100%,” says the Reds’ boss.

“It’s probably easier to go through to the next round from the group stage of the Champions League than it is to qualify in the first place in England.”

Liverpool have only qualified for the Champions League once since 2009/10, but that’s now the single aim for the rest of the season after being knocked out of both domestic cup competitions in January.

“We are working to go there as soon as possible,” says the manager.

But should a top four finish not be achieved, Liverpool look pretty certain to finish in the top six, and thus a Europa League qualification at the minimum.

“We saw this week again what a strong competition the Europa League is too,” said Klopp. “Strong teams, intense games.

“We enjoyed it last season, well we did until the last match day! We had some wonderful games in that competition.

“But of course the Champions League is THE competition. We want to be part of it. To get there we have to win a few games.”

Liverpool have a very favourable run-in at the end of the season and if the Reds can sort out their form against the lower half of the table, they will have a big advantage of their other competitors in the top six – all of which are currently involved in European football.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments