Klopp dismisses home disadvantage

LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp is confident the club’s Champions League challenge will not falter at the final hurdle because of the Anfield jitters.

While the visit of Middlesbrough, who have been relegated, would seem an ideal fixture in which to secure the victory needed to guarantee a top-four finish, Liverpool have picked up only two points from their last three home games against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Southampton. They have also been upset by Swansea City and Wolves in front of The Kop this season.

It is Klopp’s way to infuse his players with confidence and he is aware that any anxiety from the supporters could transmit its way to the pitch, but he puts the recent Anfield wobble down to mere coincidence.

‘The difference between our recent home and away results is only in finishing and one or two defensive situations. It’s not because the games were home or away or because of the pressure of Anfield,’ he argued.

‘We couldn’t have created better chances against Crystal Palace, but in the end we didn’t finish.

‘The performance at West Ham (last Sunday) was in a few parts worse than Palace but we finished and beat them 4-0.

‘It was more coincidence that we won away and didn’t have the results at home. Now we only have to play one football game, using the power of Anfield. It’s our stadium, our fans are around us and we love it.

‘We won’t think about the mistakes we’ve made. We have this unbelievable powerful club behind us and now we have the circumstances to use this again.’

‘One hundred per cent, my players deserve to finish in the top four,’ added Klopp.

‘They have always been focused and now at the end there’s still something to go for. This is our target.’