DOUBLE TOP FOR KLOPP
Reds boss says qualifying for Champions League as well as reaching the final would be ‘massive’
JURGEN says combining a Premier League top-four finish with the Champions League final would show Liverpool have arrived at the top.
The Reds boss will not let his side ease up at Chelsea tomorrow, even after reaching an eighth European Cup final.
A point at Stamford Bridge would confirm Liverpool’s place at Europe’s high table next season – a commendable achievement given that few clubs have the resources to combine European success with domestic consistency.
Chelsea themselves have struggled to do well in both competitions, as have Arsenal and Manchester United, while even Manchester City have not reached the heights in Europe.
But a result in London would seal back-to back top-four finishes for the Reds for the first time in 10 years, and Klopp said: “That would be massive. It was actually the main target we had at the start of the season.
“If we could do it in both competitions it would show big progress.
“The team has developed a lot because it has been a difficult season for a lot of players.
“Individually there have been struggles but we have really stayed strong in our relationships. Without that, we couldn’t be here.
“Third in the league and in the Champions League final. It’s all down to the players – what they have done so far is absolutely exceptional. The problem is that Sunday’s game is also important!”
Liverpool’s last taste of Champions League football before this campaign was in the 2014-15 season. The demands the competition made on the Reds saw their Premier League form suffer – they finished a disappointing sixth even though they crashed out at the group stage and then at the first hurdle after being parachuted into the Europa League.
Klopp believes the courage his side have shown on two fronts during this campaign is an important development.
The Reds have been hit by injuries to key players with Joel Matip (thigh), Emre Can (back), and Adam Lallana (hamstring) all having lengthy spells on the sidleines and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) now facing a long lay-off.
“We have been playing with high intensity all season and we have had injuries so to be where we are is a massive success,” he added.
“Everything was fine, we were fresh, but then a few things happened that we couldn’t influence. Joel Matip had such a serious thing it was crazy. The same with Emre.
“Adam Lallana was a different story, then Ox was probably the worst. Fit like never before and then something like that happened. Four key players – that’s hard for any team.
“That’s why I say that what the boys have done has been outstanding. It is not done yet, it is still an if... but I wouldn’t change it as we’re going to Kiev.”
Lallana has had his first full week back with the team but won’t start so Klopp could name the same XI that started in Rome.