Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has all but conceded defeat in the race for a Champions League place and insists the Reds will make the Europa League 'our competition' next season.
Klopp's team have spent most of this campaign between sixth and 10th in the Premier League table, but a run of seven consecutive wins from mid-April to mid-May, combined with Manchester United’s wobble above them, had put Liverpool into contention for a top four finish.
Those late hopes seemed to be finally dashed on Saturday when the Reds were held to a point by Aston Villa, rescuing a draw with a late Roberto Firmino equaliser in his final Anfield game, and United managed to secure a win away at Bournemouth. United and Newcastle now each only need one more point from their final two games to make it mathematically impossible for Liverpool.
"We will make [the Europa League] our competition," Klopp told BBC Sport.
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"I am not that spoilt. That we are already qualified for the Europa League is incredible with all these teams around us. That's really difficult and we did it, that is good.
"For so long we couldn't even hear the sound of the Champions League, that's how far away we were. The Europe League is absolutely fine. Let's see what we can do."
Liverpool were already assured of a minimum of Europa League place next season following the recent win over Leicester earlier this month. It is the only trophy that the club hasn't won during Klopp's reign after Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Community Shield successes in the last eight years.
Have Liverpool ever won the Europa League?
Liverpool haven’t won the Europa League in its current guise but were three-time winners of the UEFA Cup before the competition was rebranded in 2009. Their overall record is very good as only Sevilla (6) have ever lifted the trophy more often than their three.
Liverpool won their first UEFA Cup in 1973, beating Borussia Monchengladbach over two legs in the final – the same clubs would meet again in the European Cup final only four years later. The Reds also won the UEFA Cup in 1976, defeating Club Brugge – again, it was bizarrely a future European Cup final too, played in 1978.
When Gerard Houllier’s Liverpool landed the UEFA Cup in 2001, it completed a cup treble that season after already winning the League Cup and FA Cup domestically. The final was against Alaves and turned into a stunning nine-goal thriller that was won 5-4 by a late extra-time own goal.
As Liverpool’s third UEFA Cup win, it also tied the then competition record jointly held by Italian giants Juventus (1977, 1990, 1993) and Inter (1991, 1994, 1998). Atletico Madrid have also now racked up three wins, all since 2010, while all six of Sevilla’s have come since 2006.
Liverpool have played in a Europa League final during Jurgen Klopp’s reign, getting there only seven months after he was appointed as successor to Brendan Rodgers. Sevilla were the opposition in 2016 and the Reds actually took the lead through Daniel Sturridge, before Kevin Gameiro and Coke turned it round for the Spanish side to prevail 3-1 and get their hands on their fifth title.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Jurgen Klopp makes promise about Liverpool playing in next season's Europa League.
