Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool to banish all thoughts of the Champions League semi-final and urged his players to make sure they secure a place in next season’s competition first.
For all that thoughts on Merseyside are now consumed with the showdown with Roma and the history it conjures, Klopp is focused on Saturday’s game with Bournemouth and wants them to record one of the three victories that would guarantee they finish in the top four.
‘It sounds like you think we are in the top four?’ Klopp said on Friday. ‘Our whole life is qualifying for the Champions League. The two games against Roma are about qualifying for the next round. We need to be focused on Bournemouth, West Brom.’
Jurgen Klopp is trying to keep his Liverpool players focused on the Premier League
Klopp watched on in Kiev as Liverpool’s name was drawn out alongside Roma and may have breathed a sigh of relief as his side avoided holders Real Madrid and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Despite being offered what was considered the ‘easy’ draw heading into the last four, Klopp remained hesitant having never faced the Serie A side.
‘Rome is the only place of the three options I have not played before. They will be two difficult games. They are a fantastic side.
‘I think they had had a good season after a difficult transfer window. They are fighting for the Champions League again: I watched the second leg against Barcelona and it was outstanding.’
On Friday, Klopp’s side were drawn against Roma in the Champions League semi-final
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Liverpool’s exciting and dynamic play is one of the reasons they have ventured to their first semi in the competition since 2008, however, there is one player who has provided the magic. Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian has 39 goals in all competitions and his two against Manchester City in the both legs of their quarter-final tie proved vital. His tremendous goal tally has opened the eyes of their European rivals, and naturally Liverpool’s ability to keep hold of him in the summer will come into question.
Klopp said: ‘Yeah, of course. It’s all about the question. It’s not a situation I would even think about it. Around nine months ago he came in to make the next step in his career — and he did it.
‘To come to Liverpool, he had different options and he wanted to come here. If we now always start talking after a year and is it ‘will he leave?’ or whatever then I don’t think about. I was in the German interview and he asked me pretty much the same question.
The Liverpool manager has urged his players to concentrate on Saturday’s Bournemouth clash
‘Yes, I’m confident. I don’t think, I know he will be here. That’s all. It’s only because people always have something to write, to talk about and all the stuff. On the other side, we don’t want to change all the time — ‘now settled here, now go there in completely new surroundings’.
‘We have a big chance here to create something for the future. In the moment we have to deliver performances, collecting points, winning. The age group of the team is really good. We are still young and full of potential and all that stuff. My impression at the moment is that they are all excited about being in this group.’
Klopp also claimed he ‘knows’ Mohamed Salah will still be a Liverpool player next season