Change of plans

Klopp tells Liverpool to focus on Euro ambitions

LONDON: Juergen Klopp (pic) has urged Liverpool to stay motivated to reach their target of a place in next season’s Champions League by the end of the season.

Klopp has acknowledged that an English Premier League title challenge is beyond them given they trail leaders Manchester City by 20 points.

The five-time European champions – who have not won a trophy since the 2012 League Cup – sit fourth in the league

But the German believes there is still plenty for the Reds to play for and they should not get complacent just because City are so far ahead.

“We have to qualify for the Champions League. We have to finish as high as possible,” Klopp said.

“It looks like we could be second, third or fourth this year, that’s a fantastic situation. Not the dream but a fantastic situation.

“That’s what we are working on and for this we have to improve in all departments.

“This year, I don’t think that anyone apart from Manchester City and maybe Manchester United are thinking too much about how they can win the league.

“In a very difficult league, performance-wise we are really consistent so far. If we stay consistent and avoid our mistakes, mistakes like in the 3-3 draw with Arsenal, we will win much more games than we lose or draw.”

Meanwhile, Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah said he hopes he can help Liverpool end a five-year wait for silverware after making a blistering start to life at Anfield.

The 25-year-old – who joined from Italian club AS Roma in the close season – has scored 21 goals in all competitions for Juergen Klopp’s side and is joint-top of the Premier League scorers’ charts with Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane.

“I want to win titles here, I came here to win titles – to win something for the club, for us, for the fans,” he told Sky

Sports News.

“I love to win something here. We are working hard every day to win something.

“I am sure we are going to win something this year.”

— AFP