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Liverpool will only deserve to qualify for the Champions League if they finish fourth, says Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool need only a point to finish in the top four

Friday 11 May 2018 17:04 BST

Jurgen Klopp knows that his side are the favourites for fourth (Getty)

Jurgen Klopp insists his Liverpool side deserves a top-four finish as a memorable season reaches its domestic conclusion against Brighton on Sunday.

The small matter of a Champions League final with Real Madrid remains in two weeks but the Liverpool manager is keen to ensure a place in next season’s competition well before the date in Kiev.

To guarantee that, Klopp effectively needs just a point at Anfield against Chris Hughton’s club, although a defeat and a Chelsea victory at Newcastle would see the Blues leapfrog above Liverpool into fourth place.

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

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1/24Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

CHELSEA: Asmir Begovic - 6 out of 10

Made several fine stops to deny Liverpool but couldn’t prevent Coutinho’s superb effort from squeezing past him just before the break. Was let down by his defence for the visitors’ two second-half goals.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Kurt Zouma - 5 out of 10

Did well to stop the threat of Lallana and Moreno on the left flank in the first half - putting his body on the line to prevent Lucas’ near-post header from going in - but began to be put under more pressure from Coutinho in the second period and began to struggle at right back.

2015 Catherine Ivill - AMA

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 out of 10

Set up Ramires’ opener with a superb cross that came after he had outrun Milner. Had his work cut out with Clyne regularly pushing forwards but defended well enough.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Gary Cahill - 5 out of 10

Combined well with Terry to protect Begovic and stop the threat of Firmino in the first half but should have done more to close in on Coutinho and Benteke when they went for goal in the second.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

John Terry - 4 out of 10

The Chelsea captain was back to his best against the Reds with some solid defending in the first half, but then let himself down when he didn’t do enough to stop Coutinho from his getting his shot at goal before allowing Benteke the space and time to fire in Liverpool’s third goal.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Ramires - 7 out of 10

Headed in Chelsea’s opener to give the home side the lead, but was beaten too easily by Coutinho in the build-up to Liverpool’s equaliser and should have done more to close him down.

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

John Obi Mikel - 6 out of 10

Helped provide cover for Chelsea’s defence in the first half, but was later brought off after picking up a yellow card.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Oscar - 5 out of 10

Spent the first half largely on the left flank and while he didn’t get involved in Chelsea’s attacking play as much, he did his job at helping to keep Milner at bay while dealing with Clyne’s runs forwards. But the second half saw him struggle to replicate his first-half showing with Liverpool pressing well.

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Willian - 6 out of 10

Was so often the driving force of Chelsea’s attacking play with his pace and tricky runs but had less of an impact in the second period.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Eden Hazard - 4 out of 10

Played largely down the middle and despite a bright start, saw his impact wane and was eventually brought off in the 58th minute for Kenedy.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Diego Costa - 5 out of 10

Was controlled by Skrtel and Sakho throughout the game and rarely proved a threat for the home side. He did well to head the ball off the line in second half but disappointed up front for Chelsea.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

From the bench: Kenedy - 5 out of 10

Within seconds of coming on, he threatened to score but hit his shot into the side netting. Didn't do much else of note

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Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

LIVERPOOL: Simon Mignolet - 6 out of 10

May feel he could have done more to keep out Ramires’ opener but dealt with the rest of his tests well.

2015 AMA Sports Photo Agency

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Nathaniel Clyne - 7 out of 10

Was one of Liverpool’s best sources of attacking play in the first half down the right flank, and was unlucky not to have been given a first-half penalty when his shot hit Terry’s arm. Defended well at right-back and was one of Liverpool’s best players on the pitch.

2015 AMA Sports Photo Agency

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Martin Skrtel - 6 out of 10

llowed Azpilicueta to get his shot in to set up Ramires for the opener but, aside from that mistake, was superb to ensure Costa did not prove a threat for the home side.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Mamadou Sakho - 7 out of 10

Like Skrtel, the centre-back used his physical presence to shackle Costa throughout the game.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Alberto Moreno - 7 out of 10

Was outmuscled by Ramires in build-up to opener and will feel he could have done better, but he defended well at left-back while nearly getting a shot at goal in the second half following a fine run forwards.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Lucas Leiva - 7 out of 10

Received a yellow for a challenge on Mikel, but the Brazilian worked tirelessly in the middle of the park to snuff out attacks and try and create some for the visitors. Saw an effort at goal cleared by Begovic.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Emre Can - 6 out of 10

Looked frustrated by not being able to control the game in the first half and found himself escaping a yellow although he eventually got one for pulling back Willian. Despite an up-and-down first period marked by some sloppy passing, the midfielder came out from the break in better form and worked hard to keep a lid on the likes of Hazard and Willian.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

James Milner - 6 out of 10

Should have done more to stop Azpilicueta from getting past him and setting up Ramires for the opening goal, but he grew into the game and began giving Chelsea problems with his forays forwards.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Adam Lallana - 6 out of 10

Tested Begovic with a few shots in the first half with his pace proving crucial in helping the visitors build up attacks from the right flank and also carried out his defensive duties well – making a superb clearance to deny Zouma in the second half.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Philippe Coutinho - 9 out of 10

Scored both of Liverpool’s goals –the first after weaving his way into space and getting past Ramires to net a brilliant solo effort before then scoring the winner in the 73rd minute. Was Liverpool’s star man.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Roberto Firmino - 7 out of 10

After a relatively quiet opening period in which he kept dropping deep to try and find the ball, the forward provided the assist for Coutinho’s opener in the dying seconds of the first half. He was brought off for Benteke in the latter stages of the game, but Klopp will see the Brazilian’s showing as positive going forwards.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool Player Ratings

From the bench: Christian Benteke - 8 out of 10

Secured the win with his well-taken goal from Ibe’s cross after being brought on as a second-half substitute. Proved the impact change from Klopp.

And, given their efforts in reaching a European final despite not boasting the size of squad of some of their rivals, the German believes his side merits a top-four position.

“I think we deserve it but we have to make the last step,” said Klopp. “If we don’t do it and Chelsea get the spot then they deserve it. It is as simple as that. But over the whole season, what the boys did in the most difficult circumstances, we deserve it.

“Chelsea made five or six changes in midweek. That would not be possible for us, even if we thought about it. These boys have had to fight for each yard, the last six or seven weeks, pretty much the same group. That is the situation.

“I really think they deserve it but we have to make the final step ourselves because nobody will probably help us.”

Liverpool’s astonishing run to this season’s Champions League final has extended the club’s season but also, possibly, provided a distraction with Klopp’s side having drawn with relegated West Brom and Stoke and lost at rivals Chelsea in their last three games.

However, while Klopp is trying to focus purely on the Brighton contest, he does concede that the opportunity to win the Champions League has left his squad on the brink of a season that will live long in the club’s history.

“That’s the best case scenario, yes,” he said. “That is what we are working for, that is what we want. Champions League qualification, so we are in the competition next year, that was the target from the first day. I have said it a few times but if someone said to me on the last day of the season you will have it in your own hands, I would have said, 'okay, I will take that.'

“It would have been possible to have done it a little bit earlier for different reasons, one of the reasons is being in the Champions League itself, but we have to play this game. That is absolutely okay.

“It is a very positive situation at the moment. I cannot think at the moment the Champions League final. I have to think about this game and winning this game and making sure we play Champions League next year and then we have two weeks to prepare for the other game.

“But to be remembered in 500 years then, yes, we have to win the other game for sure. That’s it.”

Meanwhile, Klopp has confirmed that Emre Can, out injured with a back problem since the middle of March, is losing his battle to be fit for the Champions League Final.

“I cannot and I don’t want to close the door on him,” said Klopp. “Of course it would have been better if he had come back on Monday and said ‘all fine, let’s start.’ That would have been three weeks to the final but we will see.”

With Can, 24, out of contract and currently no sign of an end to the impasse in talks over an extension, the German international appears to have played his last game for the Anfield club.

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