Kop is up for top-four fight
AFTER crashing out of the Champions League, Liverpool must find a way back next season through the Premier League.
But their fall from grace in the top flight means they can’t afford any more slip-ups in the race for the top four – while hoping their rivals hit the skids.
Who could have thought when Jordan Henderson lifted the Premier League trophy last July, we would now be talking about Liverpool struggling to finish above West Ham.
At least Jurgen Klopp’s side have a favourable fixture list with Newcastle, Southampton, West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace among the seven games left.
They haven’t clicked at all this season, though victories over Wolves, Arsenal and Aston Villa in their last three league games have given them hope.
After Wednesday’s Champions League exit against Real Madrid Kop stalwart James Milner said: “Most important for us now is to concentrate on our level of performance.
“That consistency has been missing – we need to get it back and have a big push in the last few games.”
If Liverpool fail to return to Europe’s top competition, it is not going to lead to an exodus at Anfield.
There is a different culture at the club now than the last time they failed to qualify and they are widely seen as giants of the game once more.
The Reds are not expected to be in the market for any of Europe’s big guns this summer such as Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland so failing to reach the Champions League won’t affect that.
It is also unlikely to deter someone like RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate – a preferred target – from joining.
Most players will see this as a oneseaon blip and it will not cause them to snub the Reds.
That does not mean Liverpool don’t want to be back in the Champions League straight away.
So the seven league games they have left may not save a season but it would add a silver lining to a disappointing year.