According to manager Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have “nothing to do” with a top four race in the Premier League at this point in time.
The Reds beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Anfield in a thrilling game on Saturday and were six points clear of fourth-placed Newcastle United, although they played a game more.
Despite showing signs of old back-to-back victories over Forest and Leeds United this week, Klopp doesn’t believe it’s currently possible to finish in the Champions League.
“Honestly, the top 4 at the moment we have nothing to do with it,” he told BBC Sport. “We will see it in a few weeks. We have no influence on the rest.
“We play from game to game and we will have West Ham, which is really difficult, and then we will start from that. I’m glad we got all three points again.”
3 points @LFK pic.twitter.com/3qQmgLops1
— Ibrahima Konate (@IbrahimaKonate_) April 22, 2023
Liverpool continue their trip to West Ham on Wednesday with three home games in a row, giving them the opportunity to build up the momentum they’ve been missing all season.
Only once this season have the Reds recorded more than two back-to-back victories, a streak of four that ended at the end of the year.
Mohamed Salah’s effort in the 70th minute sealed the victory over Forest after Neko Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White canceled Diogo Jota’s goals.
Two of Forest’s goals came from long-range throw-ins and Klopp admits his team was far from perfect against a team in danger of relegation.
“I liked that we stayed in the game and all this chaos around throw-ins that you have to try to avoid,” Klopp said.
“Too many situations, we weren’t able to sort it out properly, but other than that I’m very happy with a lot of things.
“We gave away two goals too easily, and in this game you need to control possession of the ball. You don’t have to force it, and sometimes we forced it.”