Monday 9 May 2016 00:25, UK
Jurgen Klopp has challenged his Liverpool players to win their remaining games of the season after seeing his side beat Watford 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday.
The Reds' victory, secured thanks to goals in each half from Joe Allen and substitute Roberto Firmino, moved them to within just points of sixth-placed Southampton and a point behind seventh-in-the-table West Ham United.
However, Liverpool have a game in hand on the Saints - at home to Chelsea on Wednesday night - and the German believes if his team can beat the Blues and win their final league match of the season at West Bromwich Albion next Sunday, then they will stand a good chance of finishing sixth.
"Everything is OK, no injuries, 58 points, so not too bad," said Klopp.
"I did not think about the finals, but it is like this. The Europa League is now our only chance of going to the Champions League and the Europa League is partly the reason we have 58 points.
"But that is how it is, it is no problem, it is our situation and I have seen a lot of improvement in the team, and individual players, so that is really OK.
"We are eighth and perhaps we can get seventh or sixth, I do not know, but it depends of course on results.
"Next game is Chelsea, when hopefully it is not as warm as today, and if we win all of our last games, then I am really satisfied."
Klopp made eight changes from the team that beat Villarreal to qualify for the Europa League final on Thursday night, with only Simon Mignolet, Alberto Moreno and Philippe Coutinho keeping their places.
However, unlike in last weekend's 3-1 loss at Swansea City, those alterations did not appear to affect Liverpool, much to Klopp's pleasant surprise.
"We did what was necessary," he said. "They were not that experienced, but they did well. The first goal was quick in mind, and the second goal too.
"The grass was a little bit dry, so we could not play like we want, but we were the better team and it was absolutely deserved.
"Roberto [Firmino] came on and it was good to have him today to replace Phil [Coutinho] after 60 minutes, with Roberto getting half an hour, which was really good for us to do it like this. And a wonderful goal, with speed and smartness.
"I am pleased, because to be honest I did not expect that we would be that much better than the opponent today, but it was like it was and I saw a lot of really good moments."
In particular, Klopp was delighted with the display of Mignolet as the goalkeeper made two impressive second-half stops to deny Watford striker Odion Ighalo.
"Simon was very concentrated, which is important, especially the last few games, which is good," he said. "Confident, strong, good in the air, so that is really important for us.
"They did not have many chances, so that is not the most thankful job for a goalkeeper, but he did well, which is good."
Another pleasing factor for Klopp was the link-up play in attack between Coutinho and Christian Benteke, who was making a rare start up front for the Merseysiders.
"You could really see that Phil was looking out for Christian with his crosses, but for us it was very important that Phil and Alberto, who played nearly 90 minutes, which was maybe a little bit too long the last 10 minutes," he said.
