Jurgen Klopp Says Champions League Qualification Would Be "One Of The Biggest Achievements Ever"

Premier League and Champions League winner Jurgen Klopp has claimed that finishing in the top four this season would be "one of the biggest achievements, ever."

It's been a tough season for Liverpool, who have been well off the pace when it comes to defending their Premier League title.

Despite being top at the beginning of January, it has looked for most of 2021 like the Reds wouldn't end up finishing in the top four.

Chelsea's loss to Arsenal last week, combined with Liverpool's wins over Manchester United and West Brom, the latter thanks to Alisson's incredible last minute winner, has turned things around.

Two wins in the next six days will likely mean Klopp's side qualify for next season's Champions League, and the manager thinks it'll be a great achievement.

"Massive, absolutely massive. It will be one of the biggest achievements, ever," the manager said when asked how big a top four finish would be.

"I know how that sounds but it's the truth. Everybody here sees it like that.

Alisson's goal was a huge moment for Liverpool. Image: PA Images

"If you are going to write a book about a season and you want to be depressed afterwards, you would probably take this season.

"You read it and then think, 'that happened, and then that happened.' Most of the things you would never get in public, it's just that we had a lot of things to deal with.

"But, here we are. Whatever happened this year, it gave us the chance to hold our destiny in our hands with two games [to go.]"

High profile injuries such as Van Dijk's have made this season very tough. Image: PA Images

Injuries this season, particularly in defence, have made Liverpool's first ever Premier League title defence extremely difficult.

Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all picked up long term injuries, forcing Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to move from midfield into defence.

Henderson himself then picked up an injury to make matters even worse, but the club are now on the verge of getting into the top four.

Jordan Henderson has been injured since February. Image: PA Images

Liverpool are behind both Leicester City and Chelsea with two games to go but with the two FA Cup finalists facing each other again on Tuesday it's impossible for both sides to get maximum points.

Two wins for Klopp's side against Burnley, on Wednesday, and Crystal Palace, on Sunday, would all but guarantee top four for the Reds, unless goal difference plays a part.

Will Liverpool complete their great achievement a year after their first league title in 30 years and two years after their sixth European title?

Topics: Liverpool, Football, Premier League, Jurgen Klopp, Champions League

Ryan Sidle

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