Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool, admits that his team have been around when miracles have happened, but acknowledges that their fate is not in their hands this time when it comes to Champions League qualification. Just a month ago, the club was in eighth place, 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, but six consecutive victories have propelled them to fifth place and just one point behind their rivals, who have a match in hand. Klopp was reminded of his team’s remarkable comebacks in the past, such as when they overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit to beat Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League they won in 2019, as well as their late run into the top four in 2021, registering eight wins and two draws in their final 10 matches – including goalkeeper Alisson Becker scoring a 90th-minute winner at West Brom – after being completely out of the running in March. Klopp said that these moments will never be forgotten by those involved and that they are part of them. He then went on to say that although they have to win, it does not mean anything changes as the other teams could win all their games.
Klopp recalls Liverpool being in the position of the team being chased in his second full season in 2017-18 and knows it is not easy for the clubs in possession of the qualification places. However, he does not believe their recent run, coupled with recent defeats for third-placed Newcastle and United, has been able to exert that much pressure on their top-four rivals. He then went on to say that if Newcastle and United finish the season above them, they deserve it and that is how he sees it.
Forward Roberto Firmino is set to return to training next week ahead of what could be his final Anfield appearance. The Brazil international is leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season but has missed the last five matches with a muscle problem. With Liverpool having only one more home game, against Aston Villa next Saturday, there was a chance the 31-year-old would not get to say his goodbyes on the pitch. However, Klopp raised hopes Firmino could be in his squad for an emotional send-off, saying he saw Firmino in training yesterday and that it looks like he is nearly there, but he does not think he will be in for the weekend. He then assumed that they will start with him team training-wise after the Leicester game.