Klopp focused on Liverpool’s Champions League return

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted his side have to
quickly bounce back from the disappointment of Champions League elimination at
the hands of Real Madrid to ensure they do not miss out on the competition next
season.

Despite enjoying a host of chances, Liverpool fluffed their
lines in front of goal as Madrid held onto their 3-1 first leg lead in a 0-0
draw in the second leg of the quarter-final at Anfield on Wednesday.

The English champions are sixth in the Premier League with
just seven games to go, three points adrift of the top four place which
guarantees a spot in Europe’s premier club competition.

Liverpool have qualified for the Champions League for the
last four seasons, twice reaching the final under Klopp.

After also losing 3-1 to Madrid in the 2018 final, the Reds beat Tottenham to lift the trophy in the Spanish capital in 2019.

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However, after also ending a 30-year wait to be crowned
English champions, Liverpool have suffered a drastic dip in form.

Missing out on Champions League football would not only be a
blow to Liverpool’s prestige, but also have financial ramifications for Klopp’s
ability to revamp his squad in the summer transfer market.

“We have to (bounce back). We love this competition and
for different reasons it is very important for the club,” said Klopp.

“It doesn’t make it now easier, these two or three
games would’ve fitted easily in our schedule, but now we can concentrate on the
Premier League.

“Monday night, Leeds, is the next challenge. We have to
run and work our socks off. That is what we try to prepare now.”

Liverpool have now won just one of their last eight games at
Anfield as a previously impressive home record has crumbled in a season behind
closed doors due to coronavirus restrictions.

However, they have won three consecutive Premier League
games for the first time since their opening three matches of the season.

And James Milner is hopeful his side are turning a corner
despite failing to make the most of their dominance of the second leg against
Madrid.

“You can’t not take the chances we did tonight,”
said the veteran midfielder.

“We had more than enough chances to do what we needed
to do and we didn’t take them.

“The positive is that we are creating them. We’ve done
enough tonight to go through, we were obviously the better team and we did
enough to win the game.

“The most important thing is we replicate this form and
those sort of performances.”

Article source: https://www.samaa.tv/sports/2021/04/klopp-focused-on-liverpools-champions-league-return/