New Delhi:
Jurgen Klopp has a big challenge this weekend in keeping his Liverpool players focused on Brighton and Hove Albion as there is a bigger game just around the corner, and the bigger game is none other than against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final.
Liverpool’s first UCL final since 2007 is a thrilling affair but to qualify for the next season automatically, there is still some work to do for the Reds.
Fourth-placed Liverpool need to avoid defeat against Brighton on Sunday in their last Premier League match of the season to make sure that they hold off Chelsea in the battle of top-four.
While, Klopp’s side have displayed some marvellous performances to reach the ultimate showdown with Real in Kiev, especially their quarter-final win over Manchester City and the home leg win against Roma in the semi-final, but their domestic performance over the past month has dipped.
The Klopp-managed outfit have bagged just six points from the last five league games, failing to win against the bottom two and a nervy 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.
"As long as we are not 100 percent in the Champions League, this last game is the most important of the season," he said.
"I've said it a few times, all the things we've done so far have built a basis, we have to use the basis. The basis is obviously good because if we win against Brighton we are in the Champions League.
"That's good but there is still a job to do. I have no problem with that. That's the situation but it's no problem to play the game, we have to play it anyway so now we have to win it, that's it."
The main focus at Liverpool remains on Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah, who won three player of the year awards on Thursday, two by his club and one by the Football Writer’s Association.
But Salah, who has 43 goals for Liverpool this season, has been suffering from a bit of dipped form and is without a goal in the last three matches.
"I've not scored for two Premier League games but I'm fine," Salah said.
"We have a game on Sunday then the Champions League final and I'm sure we will help each other."Â
