Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has offered his view on the top four race – and thinks Gareth Bale could be key to Tottenham’s hopes.
The Reds beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 on Monday night as Diogo Jota returned to haunt his former club at Molineux with the winning goal.
That was a much-needed win for Liverpool after six Premier League defeats in seven games, and the hunt for Champions League football is back on.
Liverpool sit just five points off Chelsea in fourth, meaning hopes of a top four finish aren’t quite over despite what has been a disappointing season.
Now though, Liverpool boss Klopp has told Sport BILD that qualifying for the Champions League through their league position will be ‘difficult’ given the competition for a top four finish.
Klopp named Gareth Bale as the key to Tottenham’s hopes, rathe than Harry Kane or Son Heung-min, believing that his form of late means Spurs – one point behind Liverpool – are a major threat.
“I like to be an optimist, but in the league it is almost impossible to qualify in the competition for the Champions League places that we have,” said Klopp. “At Tottenham, Gareth Bale is now playing again, and they are also in the running. Plus (Manchester) City and United, who are far away.”
“Chelsea is on the rise. Reaching Champions League qualification through the league will be difficult, we know that,” he added.
The Welshman was poor in Sunday’s North London derby defeat to Arsenal, but has certainly enjoyed an upturn in form in recent weeks.
Bale seemingly has Klopp a little worried, but it may be too little, too late as eighth-placed Spurs may have to shelve hopes of a top four finish in order to focus on the Europa League.
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