Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp makes Man Utd 'pressure' claim over battle for top four spot

Jurgen Klopp has urged Liverpool to keep piling the pressure on Newcastle United and Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification.

On Monday Liverpool brushed aside relegation-threatened Leicester City 3-0 to continue their recent winning streak.

After a dismal first three-quarters of the season, Jurgen Klopp’s men have now won their past seven games, and sit just a point behind Newcastle and Manchester United, albeit having played a game more.

The result also secured a top-six finish and at the very least guarantees Europa League football for the Reds next term - a feat that seemed beyond them only a few months ago.

While it is unlikely Liverpool will qualify for the Champions League, Klopp insisted all the pressure was now on Newcastle and United, who occupy third and fourth place respectively.

Klopp on Man Utd and Newcastle pressure

Klopp called on his team to keep piling the pressure on their top-four rivals in the final few games of the season.

After Liverpool’s commanding victory over Leicester, Klopp said: “It’s a massive relief. Six or seven weeks ago I didn’t believe it could happen.

“What we lacked at that time was obviously consistency and there was only one chance to get into the situation we are in now, and that was winning all our games. It’s crazy, but that’s the situation we were in.

“We knew before the game that if we won, we would qualify for the Europa League, which is absolutely great from where we were coming from. All the rest is not in our own hands but we know we have to win all the games until the end of the season to have a chance.

“I’m pretty sure United and Newcastle are not watching us confident it is all fine. We have been in similar situations and you wish anyway the opponent loses and you have that pressure off your shoulders. And our job is to keep the pressure. We have to keep them on their toes.

“Again, it’s not likely (to finish in the top four). But if not, then this is already better than we could have expected six or seven weeks ago.”

Topics: Football, Jurgen Klopp, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Liverpool, Premier League, Champions League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.