Liverpool kept their charge towards the Champions League on track over the weekend, coming from behind to claim all three-points against Stoke City and make ammends for the disappointing draw with AFC Bournemouth at Anfield earlier in the week.
“I will only be satisfied if we reach the Champions League,” said Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to Sky Sports in Germany. “You are always under pressure. In every game there is pressure,” continued the German manager, reflecting on the Reds win over the Potters last weekend. “You need to win all the time,” added Klopp, knowing full well that the chasing pack will be relentless in the pursuit of a place in the top four. “I’m only satisfied when the team wins.”
The Reds looked to be on course for more disappointment against a team in the bottom half of the table when Jon Walters sent the Potters in to the break in the lead, but some slight tactical tweaks dovetailed perfectly with the introduction of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino for the second period. No longer looking lackadaisical, the visitors got a handle on proceedings before a pair of goals in as many minutes from the Brazilian duo made sure the Anfield outfit kept their place in the top four for another week. Going in to the meeting with West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, Liverpool sit a whole 6-points ahead of Manchester United, but the fact that their bitter rivals have two matches in hand mean they just can’t afford to drop any more points.
“The position we are in means it is irrelevant what other teams think and do,” explained Reds vice-captain James Milner. “We know that if we do the business in our remaining games, it will be good enough I am sure. It is down to us,” said the veteran utility man. “We don’t want to get side-tracked or have to worry about other results. Hopefully we can take care of business ourselves.”
