Jurgen Klopp has described the future of Liverpool’s united squad as “extremely exciting”, despite his disappointment at missing out on Champions League football.
It is Klopp’s first full season in a long time that Liverpool have not booked a place in the competition and after Manchester United’s win over Chelsea confirmed on Thursday evening, Reds star player Mohamed Salah tweeted that he was “disappointed”.
Klopp admitted it was painful and admitted there were “mistakes” throughout the season, but insisted there are plenty of reasons for Liverpool fans to be optimistic about what’s to come.
“It was clear to me that the other two teams [Newcastle and Man Utd] he can understand that point [they needed to secure Champions League football]”he said at his press conference ahead of Liverpool’s final game of the season against Southampton on Sunday.
“I drew the line. If it happened we would have gone but we don’t have to change it anymore.
“In the world of social media, a lot of bad things happen all the time. I don’t think that was one of them. It was a natural expression of his feelings and at that time after the game, it’s not the time to send messages of hope.
“But I saw him now in the canteen smiling, I don’t know why but he was not in trouble.
“For a long time here it was clear that this is not going to be the best season in history. We are not happy about it. We made a mistake, we were not united enough.
“The number of points we have collected since the World Cup is very good and if we could have done this throughout the season we would have been in a different place.
“Of course there are reasons to be optimistic. This is a situation. We have other reasons to be optimistic – the atmosphere that our people created after the last home game. All these things are the basis for a very good future.
“We don’t have to make it bigger than it is. It’s football season. We didn’t give what everyone wanted and expected. But we’re united and that’s a good thing. If you can overcome the difficulties. If we did that then it’s the best foundation for a good future.
“But I understand right after the game, when it was decided, that’s when you feel it. For me it was no different than it was for Mo.
“The dressing room is not bad, we learned to deal with the problem, we didn’t split in one second, we didn’t point fingers at each other.
“If you don’t qualify for the Champions League the best place is fifth and we did that. If you had asked me 10 games ago if we could do that I would have said no.
“There is no reason why we should put our heads down and leave it there until the new season starts. I saw some very good signs and that is something I will take into the new season.”
Asked if Liverpool’s return to form this season could be an inspiration for next year, Klopp said: “It should.”
But after making a positive decision, he spoke of his excitement for what lies ahead in 2023/24 as new arrivals continue to grow in the squad, before explaining the “coherence” with which the team has continued through their struggles as a contender. to them.
“We have failed to give people much to be happy,” he said. “We had our moments. It would have been a good season if we would have been fourth, not winners but qualified for the Champions League. The biggest disappointment is this small thing, which is obviously big.
“But sometimes you have to accept it. I’ve been here now for seven and a half years. That’s a very long time and everything goes well with big steps? That’s not possible. We could have done better but there are a lot of things that go well. Usually after three years or so four times when you change the manager, he starts a new one.
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“Yes, I understand that it is a great thing to be here for a long time but it is difficult because you have to innovate. This is what we have started now. I think it is very interesting.
“And with all the trust and faith we have and the feeling for each other is a high foundation. No one is tired or thinks, ‘who cares’? Everyone cares a lot and wants to do everything they can.
“I felt, in a difficult year, I felt the bond between us and the supporters. It is very important. If there was a point of reassurance, it was the way he said goodbye to the players. I like this. It will be like that. trampoline for us, from there we have to go.
“From a financial point of view, that’s the only problem. That’s the biggest problem in football. I know. But besides that, we have a European night next year.
“Instead of Tuesday/Wednesday and Thursday. Who cares? Good game, atmosphere, chance to do everything, FA Cup will happen again, League Cup will happen again. We have a chance to do that. The Premier League is also there let’s stop!
“When everything goes the right way it’s easy to feel together but if it’s not it’s not too difficult. I didn’t want to prove the point but we did it and it was, for me, the cup we won this year.”
Roberto Firmino and James Milner were given a standing ovation by their team-mates and a standing ovation from the crowd in their final game at Anfield for Liverpool.
When asked about how Liverpool’s absence from the Champions League will affect their transfer plans, Klopp appeared open about what lay ahead and did not feel a rush to get deals done immediately at the start of the upcoming window.
“I don’t think so but we’ll see [if no Champions League affects whether players want to come],” he said.
“It’s always possible that things don’t go the way you want because the players you want a little bit have the desire of another team to let them go. That’s what we have to prepare for.
“But it’s a long window and it’s a long time before and a long break so we have time. If we get new players tomorrow or in six or seven weeks, it’s not a change for me. In an ideal world they will all fly tomorrow and I can giving them their plans to take the summer off and these things. But good luck.”