Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp knows that the best way back to the UEFA Champions League next season is via the path of least resistance. He can ensure that his side returns to Europe next term by beating Real Madrid in this campaign’s tournament final on May 26th in Kiev.
They can also get in by finishing in the top four in the Premier League, and such a placement can be secured on Championship Sunday by taking care of business against Brighton & Hove Albion. If they get a draw or better versus the Seagulls at home, they’re in, and that would obviously be the more beneficial way, as they can then head to Russia to take on the repeat European champions in a more relaxed state of mind.
Therefore, the German wants to make sure that his team is focused on the task at hand, and not looking ahead down the road. Jurgen Klopp believes the most important game is this one, not the next one.
“As long as we are not 100 percent in the Champions League, this last game is the most important of the season,” Kloop is quoted by Sky Sports.
“I’ve said it a few times, all the things we’ve done so far have built a basis, we have to use the basis. The basis is obviously good because if we win against Brighton we are in the Champions League.
“That’s good but there is still a job to do. I have no problem with that. That wasn’t because of the Chelsea game, it was all the other games; Tottenham and Everton at home when we dropped points.”
“That’s the situation but it’s no problem to play the game, we have to play it anyway so now we have to win it, that’s it.
“Nobody thinks about the Champions League final, how it will be, ifs and if nots at the moment.
“It’s only the Brighton game and they deserve the focus we can have. They have played an outstanding season, Chris has done an amazing job.”
Klopp’s men are naturally big favorites in this match at home against a newly promoted side. They are, as expected, substantial underdogs to Los Blancos in Kiev, as they’ll be facing the club that has won three of the last four Champions League titles.
You can bank on Jurgen Klopp fielding a strong team for this clash, and he’ll then have a fortnight afterward for his side to recover for the epic clash in Kiev.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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