Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been discussing his side’s pursuit of a top-four finish ahead of this weekend’s fixture away at relegation-threatened Bournemouth.
A dismal run of form for much of the first half of the Premier League season had seemed to have seen the Reds play themselves out of a chance of finishing in the top four, although a recent revival that culminated in a 7-0 thrashing of bitter rivals Man United last weekend has seen the Anfield outfit move back into contention.
Liverpool currently sit in fifth in the table – with a game in hand on fourth place Spurs – and while Klopp admits his side’s aim is to finish in the top four he has insisted that their only focus, for now, should be securing three points tomorrow against a Bournemouth side who will fight like ‘crazy’ to move away from the relegation zone.
“There’s a general feeling that we have to chase and we have to challenge everybody, but that’s only a little side story,” Klopp told his pre-match press conference.
“The main thing is going to Bournemouth and playing a game there and not counting the points before you have them. The way Bournemouth play, they can be really uncomfortable for each team – everybody saw against Arsenal in the last game, how much they had to fight and stretch luck, if you want.
“We might fight for the Champions League spots – we will see how the results will be in the next few weeks – but the fight to stay in the league is as exciting. Bournemouth will fight like crazy.
“We want to go into the top four clear but it’s about fully focused on Bournemouth.”
