"We were too long not good enough" – Jurgen Klopp makes UEFA Europa League admission after Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa
Jurgen Klopp has said that he has no complaints with Liverpool's UEFA Europa League qualification after their 1-1 Premier League home draw against Aston Villa on Saturday (May 20).
The Reds' hopes of finishing in the top-four this season were all but ended by Unai Emery's side. Jacob Ramsey scored the opener in the 27th minute before Roberto Firmino restored parity in the 89th minute.
With their ninth Premier League draw this campaign, the Anfield outfit are in fifth place with 66 points from 37 games. Both Newcastle United and Manchester United are on 69 points from 36 games.
For UEFA Champions League qualification, Liverpool will need both their top-four rivals to lose both their remaining games. With chances of that happening close to zero, a top-four finish for the Reds looks unlikely.
At a post-match press conference, Klopp shed light on Liverpool's hopes of a top-four spot:
"I think the whole season has been a season where we end up qualifying for the Europa League and not for the Champions League. We were too long not good enough or ourselves. I think we made it pretty exciting towards the end. I didn't think that was possible seven weeks ago. The boys did really well in that period."
Sharing his thoughts on the Reds fans' reaction to their ten-game unbeaten streak in the league, Klopp added:
"I think our people enjoyed it as well. You could see today they were not angry with us, looking forward to a new Premier League season and the Europa League season, and so do I, though we still have a game left."
Klopp's side visit Southampton in their final Premier League game of the 2022-23 season.
Jurgen Klopp provides assessment of Liverpool's recent performance
When asked to offer his assessment of Liverpool's outing against Aston Villa, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp replied:
"First, it was a super important game. The game was, first half, not great, I would say. We were too much in a rush. And in both departments, with the ball and without the ball. Our pressing was not good enough. You could see what we wanted but the timing was, wow. Who was where on the pitch? That was not helpful."
Liverpool started off their final home clash of the season in lethargic fashion, with Villa piling up the pressure in the opening half an hour. After Ollie Watkins had missed a penalty, Jacob Ramsey came up with a left-footed finish.
The Reds upped the ante in the second half and got the equaliser through Roberto Firmino in the dying stages of the contest. Despite relishing 66% possession and out-shooting the visitors, they struggled to come out on top.