Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool must qualify for the Champions League this season – not only to protect the club’s reputation but also due to the financial constraints of missing it.
Last season saw the Reds miss out on a top-four finish for the first time in the German’s seven full seasons at Anfield. It means Liverpool will contest in the Europa League this time around.
Prior to their fifth-placed finish in May, Liverpool had established themselves as one of the most feared sides in Europe as they reached three Champions League finals in five seasons, claiming their sixth European Cup along the way thanks to victory over Spurs in the 2019 final.
Though even after being consigned to Thursday night football, Liverpool have been able to strengthen in the transfer window and have so far added Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to the Anfield ranks. On Friday, the Reds even had a club-record bid of £111 million accepted for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo, which would have taken the club’s summer spending to over £200m. However, the player has since expressed his desire to join Chelsea, who are set to offer the South Coast side £115m
However, Liverpool are at risk of ending the summer window short in a number of positions, with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho moving to the Saudi Pro League and consequently leaving Klopp without a natural holding midfielder ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener against Chelsea.
And asked ahead of that trip to Stamford Bridge what his side could achieve this season, Klopp warned that to avoid being left behind both on and off the field his side simply have to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
“We have to qualify for the Champions League, that’s it,” said the Reds boss, in an interview with Sky Sports. “The earlier you can do that, the more likely you can go for more.
“I cannot say that at the moment but that must be our target, there is no doubt about that. It’s not only reputation-wise but also a financial need, to be honest.
“Yeah, that would be fantastic. And, how I said earlier, if we do that we can talk about other stuff if we do it.”
Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
