LET’S KOP A EURO SPOT Klopp warns stars to focus on beating Seagulls
PROBABLE TEAMS
RAFA BENITEZ admits he understands the “massive’’ pressure that Antonio Conte is under as Chelsea pray for a Champions League miracle.
Former Blues boss Benitez can today have a say in ending Chelsea’s slender hopes of a top-four finish.
The deposed Premier League champions must beat Benitez’s Newcastle at St James’ Park and cross their fingers that Brighton pull off an unlikely victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
Newcastle have their own agenda. After four successive single-goal- margin defeats, the Geordies are trying to cling on to 10th place. But the stakes were higher when Benitez – who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 – was in charge of Chelsea for six months in the 2012-13 season. And the Spaniard delivered as he secured a Champions League spot and won the Europa League. So how much pressure is there at Chelsea to reach the Champions League? “Massive,’’ said Benitez. “I had a conversation with Roman Abramovich and it was about what the priority was – the Champions League. When I went there, they were in a bad position and we finished third and won the Europa League.
“For him, it was massive to be in the Champions League.
“It’s massive money if you qualify. Also, when you have a good team like they have, you can progress, so the money is getting bigger and bigger.
“It’s not hard for them to attract players, it’s just that the clubs around them can compete.
“There are not too many good teams, so, if they play in the Champions League and pay the same wages or more than you, it’s more difficult.” weeks to make our plans for the Champions League final.
“But what we really must do now is concentrate on our final Premier League game against Brighton. And I have no problem doing that.
“The whole season has been, so far, quite a joyride, but very intense as well.
“We are still in that frame of mind. It feels like we are still in the middle of the season.
“A lot of teams could go on holiday on Monday, but we are in a completely different mood.
“That’s how it is for us. If you want to be successful, you have to play the last game of the season.
“We will do that in the Champions League.
“It’s the situation that we have created, in a very, very good way.” Liverpool will finish the season with 75 points if they can beat the Seagulls – one less than they picked up last year. But Klopp (left) believes that reaching the Champions League final has clearly had a big impact on his team’s Premier League campaign.
He added: “We would have had more points if we weren’t in the Champions League. For sure, I feel that we have improved from last season. We have played a better season.
“Seventy-six is obviously a big number, but 75 would be a big number and 73 would also bring us to the Champions League, so that’s a big number as well.
“It’s not about comparing one season with another. I don’t think that’s possible.
“We have had much better games, outstandingly good games this season rather than last season.
“I’m fine so far with the season – but, of course, we have to make the last two steps.”
BRIGHTON keeper Mat Ryan insists the no-fear mentality instilled by Chris Hughton will stand the Seagulls in good stead at Anfield.
Hughton has guided them to safety in their first Premier League campaign, despite being pummelled 5-1 at the Amex by Jurgen Klopp’s men. Australia No.1 Ryan said: ”One thing this year has taught us is not to fear anybody. We had to learn pretty quickly that if you give top players space they can be absolutely lethal.”