Jurgen Klopp has said that Liverpool could still qualify for the Champions League next season and said that they need to do something ‘really special.’
Liverpool have had a season to forget and are looking to revive their campaign after being knocked out of every competition, by qualifying for UCL the next season.
They are unbeaten in their last 5 PL games and seem to have found their rhythm to get a top 4 spot. With Spurs visiting Anfield, the Reds are expected to claim all 3 points. Moreover, with all the misery at the London club, Liverpool must capitalize on the same and win at home.
“This season, if we don’t do something really special, will be remembered for the 7-0 against United.”
After winning two competitions and finishing runners-up in the other two, the Reds were expected to come out strong this season as well. However, it hasn’t been the case as their season has been plagued with injuries.
With inconsistent performances and poor results, the Reds are out of the top 4 spot currently. But, they seemed to have found their form back and look to finish strong.
Liverpool have to do something really special to play Champions League next season
Klopp has admitted that the Reds need to do ‘something really special’ to play UCL next season.
“I hope when people speak about it in a few years they will look back on it and [say], ‘I was here when we beat Man United 7-0.
And that they could say something nice on top of that. ‘And after that we qualified still’, for whatever. That will be nice, but if not then we have to take that as well.
Meanwhile, with 6 games remaining in the league, it seems highly likely that the Reds would be competing in the Europa League the next season.
However, the statements from Klopp suggest that the team has not given up on the top 4 hope. But, they currently sit 7th in the league and face Spurs tomorrow.
Should they win against the North London club, they could jump up to 5th place. It might also seem as if they have decent fixtures after the Spurs game. But the likes of Brentford, Villa, and Fulham could not be shrugged off so easily.
However, even if they win at Anfield, they would still be 4 points off Man Utd, who also have 2 games in hand. They would also be 6 points behind the in-form Newcastle who have been on a superb run lately.
This means that the Reds have to rely on other clubs and expect their rivals to slip up in order to notch a top-4 spot.
Goal difference could prove vital for Liverpool
Newcastle have been impressive, winning 4 of their last 5 PL games. The 5-1 against West Ham, the 6-1 thrashing of Spurs, and an emphatic 4-1 win over Everton mean they would surely be on their way to play Champions League football the next season.
However, this hasn’t been the case with Manchester United. Ever since losing to Sevilla in the Europa League, they have been inconsistent in the League. The Red Devils threw away a 2 goal lead against Spurs and took only a point.
This could be a source of hope for the Merseysiders to qualify for UCL next season. And this is where the 7-0 thrashing of Man Utd could prove vital.
Newcastle have a superior goal difference of +32 compared to Liverpool’s +22. Meanwhile, the Manchester club have a goal difference of +9, which means that the Reds have a healthier GD.
If the Red Devils are to slip up and Liverpool are to take advantage, that goal-difference gap will only get wider too. As a result, Liverpool would have the upper hand if they found themselves in a position where they could finish level on points with Erik Ten Hag’s men.
I’m a football enthusiast and an avid writer and someone who lives by the Bill Shankly quote, on a day to day basis.
