Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp eyes Champions League qualification after crucial win against Sheffield United

Reds were 2-0 winners at Bramall Lane on Sunday and next face Chelsea in the top flight

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Adrian (Getty Images)

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has declared that his side’s target for the end of the season is a top-flour place in the Premier League, with the champions finally snapping their losing streak as they emerged 2-0 winners against Sheffield United on Sunday.

Klopp’s team had difficulties breaking down the resistance of Aaron Ramsdale in the hosts’ goal, but 20-year-old Curtis Jones opened the scoring in the second half before a Kean Bryan own goal sealed the win for the sixth-placed Reds.

“This was about us showing we’re still there,” Klopp told Sky Sports after the final whistle at Bramall Lane.

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“We play Chelsea on Thursday, we have to show it again. We have to win football games, we know that. There’s no way into the Champions League without results. Tonight we got it, we keep going.

“Sheffield United have lost a lot but all by the smallest margin. It’s clear these games stay exciting until the very end. We could have scored three in the first half,” the German coach explained.

“What we created was very good. The finishing was good enough for today, but we can improve.”

Klopp said he is expecting striker Diogo Jota to return for the Chelsea game. The 24-year-old has recovered from a knee injury and was in the squad to face Sheffield United but withdrew due to illness.

Sheffield United goalkeeper Ramsdale had a superb first half and there was little he could do to stop the two goals, but he was disappointed at the final whistle.

“We gave everything tonight – for the first half and most of the second half we gave a good account of ourselves,” he told Sky Sports.

“They are world-class players and can do that to any team. It’s definitely a disappointed dressing room, because we could possibly have got something out of that.”

Reuters