Klopp remains optimistic despite Liverpool’s poor season
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Jurgen Klopp is already looking ahead to next season with Liverpool. PHIL NOBLE / REUTERS
The German technician is disappointed not to be able to play in the Champions League next season but is already approaching the reconstruction of the Reds.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looked gloomy on Friday after confirmation the club could not finish in the Premier League’s top four, but said he was optimistic for next season. Liverpool’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League ended when Manchester United beat Chelsea 4-1 on Thursday.
After narrowly missing out on an unprecedented quadruple last season, winning two domestic cups, Liverpool will miss out on the Champions League for the first time under Klopp, since their first full season in 2016-17.
“Not consistent enough”
The German coach said he was « very critical of himselfafter the team struggled to meet the standards they set last season, despite a late resurgence that saw them qualify for the Europa League.
« This season has not been good from a historical point of view. We made mistakes and we weren’t consistent enoughKlopp told reporters ahead of the final game of the season at Southampton.
« After Dubai, since we were in camp after the World Cup, everything has not been perfect, but the number of points we have accumulated since then is quite good. If we could have done this all season, we would be in a different situation. So there is reason to be optimistic… The atmosphere our team created in the last home game, the way the club said goodbye to the departing players… all of this forms the basis for a fantastic future.»
Salah ‘devastated’
Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah said he was devastated after the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League and, although Klopp agreed with his Egyptian striker, he said the team were still united .
« The locker room is not in a bad mood, we have learned to manage the situation, Klopp said. We weren’t split between the manager and the team which is very helpful, we weren’t singled out, everything is fine. If you don’t qualify for the Champions League, the best possible place is fifth, and that’s what we did.»
Liverpool will need to bolster their squad with the departures of key figures such as Roberto Firmino and James Milner at the end of the season.
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