Klopp counting on experience of final day stress to seal top-four spot
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp is familiar with stress on the final day of the Premier League season and said he will rely on past experience to get over the line as they look to seal a top-four spot and qualify for the Champions League.
Chelsea (67 points), Liverpool and Leicester City (66 points each) are in a three-way battle for the last two Champions League places ahead of tomorrow’s matches.
Liverpool were eighth in March with Champions League qualification looking unlikely, but Klopp’s side went on a nine-match unbeaten run to move up to fourth.
“I can’t remember a season when we didn't go to the wire. I’m used to stress until the last match day,” Klopp told reporters ahead of their home game against Crystal Palace.
“We’ve found some stability and created confidence again. We’ve scored in the right moments and conceded fewer.
“That’s what we had to do. But (in) these kinds of games, anything can happen. Nobody should expect the perfect game, I respect Palace too much.”
Liverpool beat Palace 7-0 in the reverse fixture in December which has helped Klopp’s side maintain a healthier goal difference compared to Leicester.
However, Klopp said that result was irrelevant ahead of a “really intense game” at Anfield and hoped the 10 000 fans returning to the stadium would give them a boost.
“You can’t imagine how much I'm looking forward to seeing 10 000 fans inside Anfield. It’s important that we don’t lose patience after one minute, we need the best support,” Klopp added.
“Nothing was the same (without fans), we needed to get used to it and we did, but it shouldn’t be like this. It makes a difference. We all need support in life, football is a game based on emotion and we were alone.”
Meanwhile, Aston Villa will go “hell for leather” for a victory that could cost Chelsea a place in next season’s Champions League when the sides clash at Villa Park tomorrow, manager Dean Smith said.
Victory for Chelsea on the final day of the season will seal third place in the Premier League, but anything else could mean they are overtaken by Liverpool and Leicester City.
Chelsea are unbeaten away since German coach Thomas Tuchel took charge in January.
“He’s had a great start. They qualified for the FA Cup final, Champions League final and now they’re trying to qualify for the Champions League via the top four,” Smith said.
“He’s come in and done exactly what he’s been asked to do so far. Now it’s our job to put an end to their away record.
“We’ll be going hell for leather to try and do that.”