Jurgen Klopp has described the future of a united Liverpool as “super exciting”, despite the disappointment of missing out on qualification for Champions League football.
It is the first full season in Klopp’s long tenure that Liverpool have not booked a place in the competition and after Manchester United’s win over Chelsea on Thursday night confirmed it, the Reds’ top scorer Mohamed Salah tweeted that he was “devastated”.
Klopp admitted it was a painful blow and accepted there were “mistakes” made throughout the season but insisted there were plenty of reasons for Liverpool fans to be optimistic about what lies ahead.
“For me the other two teams are clear [Newcastle and Man Utd] get that point [they needed to secure Champions League football],” he said in his press conference ahead of Liverpool’s final game of the season against Southampton on Sunday.
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Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has discussed making changes to his team’s line-up but
“I drew a line. If it would have happened, but we will not change the mood now.
“In the world of social media so many bad things happen all the time. I don’t think that’s one of them. It’s a normal expression of his feelings and in that moment after the game, it’s not the moment to send hopeful messages.
“But I saw him today in the canteen and he was smiling, I don’t know why but he wasn’t in a bad mood.
“For a long time here it was clear that this was not a good period in history. We were never happy with it. We made mistakes, we were not consistent enough.
“The amount of points we have collected since the World Cup is very good and if we had done that throughout the season we would have been in a different place.
“Of course there are reasons to be optimistic. That’s the truth. We have other reasons to be optimistic – the atmosphere created by our people after the last game at home. All these things are perfect grounds for one an imaginary future.
“We don’t need to make it bigger than it is. It’s a football season. We didn’t deliver what everyone wanted and hoped for. But we’re still united and that’s the good thing about it. If you get through difficulties The moments like we did in the past that are a good basis for a good future. I see many reasons for an optimistic view.
“But I understand after the game, when it’s decided, when you feel it. That for me is no different than Mo.
“The dressing room is not a bad situation. We have learned to deal with the situation. We are not divided in one moment. We are not teaching each other.
“If you don’t qualify for the Champions League the best possible place is fifth and we did that. If you asked me 10 games ago if we could do that I would have said no.
“There is no reason why we should put the head down and leave it there until the new season starts. I see very good signs and these are the things I will take for the new season.”
Asked if Liverpool’s setback this season could be a motivator for next year, Klopp said: “It should be.”
But picking out the positives, he spoke of the excitement he feels for what’s to come in 2023/24 as the new arrivals continue to improve the team, before describing the “unification” that continues in team through their challenges this term like a trophy. to them.
“We failed to give people more to enjoy,” he said. “We had our moments. It was a normal season when we finished fourth, not good but still qualifying for the Champions League. The big disappointment is this little thing, which is obviously a big one.
“But sometimes you have to accept it. I’ve been here now for seven and a half years. That’s a long time and everything is always going in the right direction with big steps? That’s not possible. We could have done more good but there is Usually after three or four years you change the manager, he starts completely new.
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FREE WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Aston Villa.
“Yes, I understand it’s a really good thing I’m here that long but it’s a challenge as well because you have to invent yourself new. That’s what we started today. I think that’s super exciting.
“And with all the trust and faith that we have and feel for each other is a super basis. No one is tired or thinks, ‘who cares’? Everyone cares a lot and wants to do their best.
“I feel, in a difficult year, I feel the unity between us and the supporters. It is very important. If there is a point to prove it again, it is how they say goodbye to the players. the trampoline for from there we have to walk.
“From a financial point of view, that’s the only problem really. That’s a big problem in football. I know that. But apart from that, we have nights in Europe next year.
“Instead of Tuesday/Wednesday it’s a Thursday. Who cares? Great games, atmosphere, one chance to do everything, the FA Cup will happen again, the League Cup will happen again. We have a chance to do that. The Premier There is also the league, let’s agree!
“If everything goes in the right direction it’s easy to feel the togetherness but if not it’s more challenging. I don’t want to prove that point but we did and that, for me, is the trophy we won this year. “
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Roberto Firmino and James Milner were given a guard of honor by their team-mates and a standing ovation from the crowd in their final appearance at Anfield for Liverpool.
Asked about the impact of Liverpool’s absence from the Champions League on their transfer plans, Klopp appeared calm about what lies ahead and felt no urgency to get deals done quickly at the start of the upcoming window.
“I don’t think so, but we’ll see each other.” [if no Champions League affects whether players want to come],” he said.
“It’s always possible that things don’t go as you want because the better players you want the less the other club will want to let him go. That’s what we have to prepare for.
“But it’s a long window and it’s a long pre-season and a long break so we have time. If we get new players tomorrow or in six, seven weeks it’s not a game changer for me. In an ideal world they’d all be flying out tomorrow and I could give them their plans for summer vacation and all this stuff. But it’s all good.”
