Southampton vs Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp says Reds still 'have a chance' of finishing in top four

Southampton 3 Liverpool 2

Jurgen Klopp (Getty)

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool still “have a chance” of qualifying for the Champions League via the top four despite the 3-2 Premier League defeat by Southampton on Sunday.

The Reds went into the game on an eight-match unbeaten run but succumbed to a almost comical late comeback by the Saints to leave their European aspirations in doubt.

Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge fired the visitors into an early two-goal lead at St Mary's but Senegal international Sadio Mane, whose last top flight goal came in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool in October, dusted himself off and scored a brace either side of a Graziano Pelle strike to complete a remarkable turnaround.

"I saw lot of good things from my side," Klopp said. "It was a perfect first half and we could have scored more. We played really good.

"In the second-half Southampton deserved it. We could have done better but that's how it is in football. You have to take your chances and in the first moment of the second half I saw it was not too good.

"It was clear when they scored their first goal that something big would happen in this game. We could have played better. It is like it is. Second half Southampton deserved the three points."

Despite the set-back, Klopp has refused to give up on taking Liverpool into the top four before the end of the season.

"There are nine games left, still 27 points to get," he added. "If we can get all of them there is a chance."

Additional reporting by PA.