Jurgen Klopp: 'Liverpool up for top-four fight'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 06 May 2018

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists that his side are up for the challenge of holding off Chelsea in the top-four race, despite winning just one of their last five games.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted that his side are up for the challenge of holding off Chelsea in the race for a Champions League spot this season.

The Reds have won just one of their last five Premier League games to leave themselves still potentially needing a win on the final day of the season to guarantee a top-four place ahead of Chelsea.

The Blues' 1-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge this afternoon kept their hopes alive, but Antonio Conte's side must still win their final two games of the campaign - away to Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United - to stay in the running.

"Chelsea have to win their games as well. We play our last game at home and Chelsea have to go to Newcastle - that's not a holiday trip, it doesn't sound like a holiday trip to me!" he told reporters at his post-match press conference.

"If you asked me what I wanted this morning when I woke up - a nice easy 3-0 win, go home and enjoy the sun and don't care about the Brighton game and prepare already for the final. Did I think that would happen? I was not sure. Hopefully the boys all came through the game OK. They showed again their outstanding character.

"If you want guarantees then you have to do something very different. The boys showed me that they want to fight and to fight and to fight. The situation is very intense for them, and I'm really happy and proud of them for dealing with it."

Liverpool will host Brighton & Hove Albion in their final game of the season.