Jurgen Klopp has talked down Liverpool’s hopes of securing Champions League football but hopes his side can put ‘pressure’ on the sides above them.
Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League table after a run of five consecutive league wins, but remain four points outside the Champions League places, having played a game more than fourth-placed Manchester United.
The Reds host Brentford this weekend as the club look to continue their upturn in results. Ahead of the clash, Klopp was asked whether his side could secure a top four finish.
“Other teams are in much better positions, as long as they win games we have no chance,” Klopp told his pre-match press conference.
”We have to keep teams behind us. If Brighton win all their games and how they played last night that is possible, incredible performance, really good game. We have 59 points and United has 63 so we can get 71 maximum, United needs eight points in five, from 15.
“I think they will do that. They will three games of the rest and that is it. We have enough to do with ourselves. Tomorrow, Brentford is a difficult game to play. We can control the whole game theoretically and one set piece can kill you.
“If our performances put pressure on other teams that is not in our hands. The way they played over this season, the top four teams, no one looks like losing more games than they win. For us the plan is finishing as high as we can, now that means fifth but that is not given. Sixth is not given. Aston Villa, Tottenham, Brentford are all fighting for that and so do we.”
