Jurgen Klopp is embracing the prospect of competing in the Europa League for the first time since reaching the 2016 final in Basel. Despite Liverpool’s failure to secure Champions League football for the first time in seven seasons, Klopp insists that Europa League qualification is still positive for the Reds. He said, “The actual possibility to go through a European trophy is not something that you dismiss, it’s everything. I love European competitions and for me that’s no different, to be honest. In the end, it’s a massive prize to win and we will try it definitely.” Mohamed Salah had previously expressed his disappointment at missing out on a top-four spot, but Klopp is more upbeat about the situation, looking forward to experiencing a “rocking” Anfield on European nights. He continued, “People will say it’s only the Europa League, but the first whistle on a European night, whoever the opponent, Anfield will be rocking. And that’s all I need.”
This season has been ultimately disappointing for Liverpool fans who have seen their side lift every conceivable trophy under the current stewardship with Champions League qualification becoming a pre-requisite rather than an achievement. Liverpool’s season finale at Saint Mary’s leaves both sides with very little to fight for on the final day of the Premier League, with Southampton’s relegation to the Championship mathematically confirmed two weeks ago and the Reds consigned to fifth spot without kicking a ball due to the result at Old Trafford on Thursday night. Klopp will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointing 1-1 draw in the final Anfield outing of the campaign against Aston Villa which all but sealed Liverpool’s European fate. It came after seven consecutive wins put the Reds in the unlikely position of having an outside chance of reaching Europe’s elite club competition for a seventh straight year.