Liverpool’s final-day Premier League match against Crystal Palace is cup final, affirms Jurgen Klopp
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Liverpool's final-day Premier League match against Crystal Palace is cup final, affirms Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has stamped Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace a ‘final’ as Liverpool look to secure Champions League football on the final day of the campaign.
Liverpool head into their final Premier League match of this season with their top-four destiny in their own hands after a 3-0 victory at Burnley lifted them above Leicester into the top four. Reds can guarantee top-four finish and Champions League football next season if they match Leicester’s result against Tottenham when they host Crystal Palace at Anfield on 23rd May.
After winning their penultimate Premier League clash against Burnley, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp stated that the match was like a ‘semi-final’
Liverpool were indebted to Roberto Firmino’s strike late in the first half, defender Nat Phillips’ first senior goal early in the second, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s maiden goal of the campaign to see off a stubborn Burnley at Turf Moor.
With a fourth successive league win for the first time this season after consecutive victories against Southampton, United, West Bromwich and now Burnley and having won 23 points from the last 27 available, Klopp is now demanding one last performance from his resurgent Liverpool team.
“It was a semi-final. We had to win the semi-final and we did that. 3-0. Clean sheet,” Klopp told Sky Sports. “Nothing is decided yet, but we improved our position, slightly, and we have the ‘final’.
“So that’s what we wanted, that’s what we needed and it’s what the boys deserved today because it was a top, top performance. You can’t give any chances away against Burnley because of the way they play. They wanted to go for our centre-halves, but our boys did outstandingly well.” Klopp said praising his team.
“We knew before the game it would be incredibly tough – they had about 3,500 people not on our side. Atmosphere in football is massive. I thought the boys dealt really well with that. They didn’t get distracted – they tried to use it because noise is nice. We played a lot of good football stuff.”
It is an impressive comeback from two months ago when, for a time, any European football looked beyond them.
“I couldn’t be more pleased,” Klopp remarked. “It is not that we took these things for granted. February was the last time we were in the top four and we didn’t win a lot of games since then.
“In the last eight or 10 games, I don’t know how many, we are back on track. If we win on Sunday, then we are probably qualified for the Champions League.
“It’s insane that we came this close, but we are not through yet. It looks like the timing is right but it is not done yet.
“When you win the semi-final you go to a final and that’s where we are. We will give our absolute everything.”
Klopp was found relishing playing in front of 10,000 as Anfield prepares to open its gates for Liverpool’s final-day showdown, but ensuring his players have recovered from their exploits at Turf Moor in time is his number on priority.
“We have to make sure we recover quickly. We have a thin squad in some positions. We have to wrap them in cotton wool. I can’t wait for the 10,000 fans at Anfield. Nothing is decided Palace are strong.” added Klopp.
It is incredible that Liverpool are now so close to Champions League qualification after their terrible run of form at the turn of the year seemed to have scuppered their chances. If the Reds match Leicester’s result against Tottenham in their last home game of the season against Crystal Palace they will clinch a Champions League spot, with Chelsea playing Aston Villa at the same time.
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Sayantan Dutta
(266 Articles Published)