Klopp demands perfect finish to seal Champions League position
JURGEN KLOPP is targeting a Fab Four finish as he sings the praises of his Liverpool squad that is within touching distance of the Champions League.
The Kop boss would view victory over Watford tomorrow night, followed by wins against Southampton, West Ham and Middlesbrough as the “perfect” end to his first full season in charge at Anfield.
And that demanding four-game run-in will be boosted by the return of Adam Lallana and probably Daniel Sturridge.
Klopp, asked if it was as simple as ‘four games left – win all four’, said: “It would be perfect but it will be hard. We are in the best situation squad-wise in the last two or three weeks because Adam is back and Daniel looks like he could be back too.
“That’s better than the week before. That’s a new situation for us and now we can think about how we use this.
“We are fighting for nearly the highest position in this league and that’s good also. That’s much better than last year.
“If we win no games in the last four it will be difficult to be in the Champions League. If we win one, it will be unlikely. If we win two it’s not really likely.
“But if we start winning three it can work. And if we win four I would say it’s more likely it will happen.”
Klopp is delighted with the progress of his squad but frustrated by the injuries.
He said: “If we had the whole squad together for the last year, like one or two of the other competitors, we could easily have four or five more points.
“The situation will be different next season but I can still see the big steps we have made.”
Meanwhile, Watford manager Walter Mazzarri hopes the memory of getting thrashed 6-1 at Liverpool in November will fire his players.
The Hornets are all but safe for another season in the top flight, sitting on 40 points.
Mazzarri, though, is determined the campaign will not just fade out over the closing five matches, which sees fixtures against Everton, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Mazzarri said: “I reminded them about the Liverpool result to motivate them.
“We have seen in English football that if a team with less value does everything well, they can win against much higher teams.
“I have the duty to try to get everything out of my players, all of the positive energy.”
The Hornets could again have to do without defender Craig Cathcart, who is doubtful because of a knee problem.
Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami is available after a hamstring injury.
Even Guardiola seems taken aback at the instant impact made by the Brazil striker, who is only 20.
Jesus, fit again after breaking a metatarsal in only his fourth appearance for City, looked to have marked his return with an added-time winner in the Manchester derby on Thursday.
He had been on the pitch only five minutes as a substitute but was fractionally offside when he showed his predatory powers.
And Guardiola says of the £27million striker: “We saw in his first game against Tottenham the impact he had in only eight minutes.
“We saw it on Thursday in five minutes after three months out. He had two chances and one goal which by centimetres is not a goal.
“So he has his instinct. I will always have in mind what would have happened if we would have been able to have Gabriel all season.
“We didn’t buy another striker because we bought him but he could not come before January. “That meant four-and-a-half months without him. “And when he arrived his impact was instant. It was so great in a tough league like here.
“I don’t know what would have happened with a lot of games if it was him with Sergio Aguero.
“We will never know but I would like to know what would have happened in many games in which we missed chances because he has this instinct in the box.
“He is dynamic and the midfield players can see how he goes for the press and is aggressive in attacking the penalty area. His influence on his team-mates is huge. “But now we are so happy that he is back. “He is physically strong and I am pretty sure he is going to help us until the end of the season.
“You cannot compete all season with the big teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and be in Europe without the big players in your squad.
“He is the No. 9 for Brazil and everyone knows how good this guy is, how special he is. “He will be here with us all next season and he will help us. “I would like to see Sergio with another guy to help take a lot of the pressure off and also be in that position to score.”
Guardiola now has to decide whether to unleash Jesus from the start at relegation-threatened Middlesbrough today or again utilise that impact from the bench.
Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, has vowed to sacrifice his summer to get fully fit for next season after a succession of injuries for the centre-back.
The City captain, 31, said: “I think the days of being a