Jurgen Klopp says a failure to qualify for the Champions League will not mean his star players will leave this summer.
Jurgen Klopp said: “It’s not a problem. We are not kids in a candy shop who are not getting the candies that stand there. We are responsible for the situation we are in and nobody will watch next season’s Champions League in front of the television and crying if we are not involved. That is the situation in football and it is completely normal. So that will not be a challenge. If someone was struggling with that, hopefully I would see that and realise it early to sort it. I am pretty sure I would recognise it early. Again, the good things we did in the last few years, we did together and this season we did together as well. And the reaction to this season we will show together as well, that is clear.”
Despite talk of missing out on Europe’s premier competition, however, Klopp is refusing to throw the towel in himself as he and his side attempt to chase down Chelsea before the final whistle on May 23. And the German indicated that a successful pre-season schedule will be important for his side to once again challenge for major honours going forward.
Jurgen Klopp added: “It’s difficult that we sit here and talk about [no Champions League], we still have a chance. We have to be concentrated on that, some people obviously don’t think we have a chance anymore. So we should already write the season off and talk about next season when we have five games left? That is a bit strange. We play Southampton on Saturday then we play Manchester United so we have some games to play and we’re 100 per cent focused on our situation to make the best of it. Then we have, some of us, quite a long summer and we will try to use that summer and we will use that summer to get back full of power, full of energy and we go again.We will see what is that but we cannot always talk about five things at the same moment really. Southampton need our full focus because the way they play and all the rest we will sort, you can trust me.”
Liverpool currently trail Chelsea by seven points in the race for the final spot in the top four and also have West Ham, Tottenham and Everton to contend with during the final five matches of a disappointing campaign. Klopp, though, says he sees no scenario where some of his players will want to move on if they only qualify for the Europa League. Asked how he manages his squad without Champions League football,
