Despite Press Insistence, Klopp Not Promising Champions League Qualification

Notwithstanding last year's disastrous efforts in Europe's premier club competition, Liverpool's Champions League efforts have largely revolved around the attempt to qualify for the continental tournament rather than they have actually playing in it. With a third of the season gone and the all important December schedule quickly approaching, qualification has once more become a very serious topic, but Jürgen Klopp isn't going to get sucked that discussion without a fight.

"It's only okay that you ask this (about top four) if you ask it as well after Crystal Palace," Klopp said about Liverpool's Champions League aspirations. "We can’t change our targets every two weeks just because we have won. The big money is in the Champions League but should I promise now?

"It's only hard work (that will get us there). We changed the manager. There were reasons, it wasn’t because of the weather or something like this, it (before) wasn't what the owners or the supporters wanted. And it wasn’t a problem with Brendan Rodgers because he is a brilliant manager. But we had to change some things.

"Now we are in a better way than two weeks ago and we have to go ahead. That's all. If you want you can write it in your job, it's cool, but I don't want to talk about it."

Klopp is, of course, on the money about the single mindedness of the press when it comes to finishing top four in the Premier League. It's not a conversation to be had only when a club is winning, and at a point in the season where Klopp has only been around for a little over a month, getting the team firing on all cylinders — on the road and at home — is the bigger priority. Everything else — Champions League qualification or otherwise — will flow from there.

But if you want to write about Liverpool's chances of qualifying for Champions League after their big win over Manchester City, it's cool. Jürgen understands.