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Mar 15, 2021 at 8pm UK
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers
0-1
LiverpoolLiverpool

Neves (37'), Saiss (52')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Jota (45+2')
Alcantara (42')
/esi/1339/6_G_1_120645/index.html?art_id=439193&game_id=120645&sport_id=1&ESI

Jurgen Klopp: 'We are focused on Premier League'

:Headline: Jurgen Klopp: 'We are focused on Premier League':
The Reds have taken just 12 points out of the last 42 in the Premier League.
Sports Mole

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he and his players are not thinking about a "fairytale" Champions League win this season as that would detract from the job of turning around their domestic form.

The Reds progressed to a fourth European quarter-final in five years – four of which have come in Europe's elite competition – with a midweek win over RB Leipzig.

Such is their terrible Premier League form, taking 12 points out of the last 42, winning a seventh European Cup may be their best bet for qualification next season as they are well off the pace in the race for the top four.

Liverpool won the Champions League for a sixth time in 2019 (Peter Byrne/PA)

But Klopp hopes to get his side, boosted by the win against the Bundesliga's second-placed side, back on track at Wolves on Monday rather than pondering how to negotiate a way towards a third Champions League final in four years.

"It would be a dream eh? Why not? But we are not in a situation sitting here and telling the fairytale of how it could end," he said.

"What we think, what we wish, what we dream of is completely different but being ready for Wolves is the only thing we're busy with.

"Using the positives from the last game would be helpful. Yes, it's the last eight but the last eight is historically tricky.

"I am not 100 per cent clear who are the other seven or the few who look likely will be in but there are no easy games.

"In these games can we give them a proper game? Yes, definitely that's the plan but not today, in three or four weeks.

"But we try to use it as good as possible."

“It would be a dream eh? Why not? But we are not in a situation sitting here and telling the fairytale of how it could end”
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the Champions League

Liverpool's chances of returning to form have been boosted by the restoration to midfield of Fabinho, who started his first game since October in his favoured position against Leipzig having deputised in central defence because of their injury crisis.

The Brazilian immediately not only brought balance to the side but brought the best out the team-mates around him.

"I'd like to start by saying Gini Wijnaldum did an incredible job," added Klopp.

"When you play Gini (Wijnaldum) at six you miss him on the eight as well, so a lot of things which were settled before were unsettled after that (move of Fabinho into defence).

"Yes, Fabinho helps everyone on the pitch in both directions if he can play his natural position.

"Yes, it makes life easier for Thiago (Alcantara) as well but it's not like we speak about it (saying) 'One player back, now all the things will click again'.

"Unfortunately it is not like this but it helped that night because, for example, all three midfielders made a really good game.

"Fabinho played the first time for a long time at six and you could see the difference he can make in defending stuff but connecting as well, you saw Gini Wijnaldum on eight defending and always involved with his mind and Thiago as well, and that's why it worked.

"When Fabinho can play the six it is obviously the best position for him and for us as well."

Another positive from that night was Diogo Jota, who on Monday returns to the club he left in September looking for his first goal since November having just come back from almost three months out with a knee injury.

"It was a big miss. The moment he got injured, he was in a really good moment, which then makes it even worse," said Klopp.

"What does he bring? It's quality. He can play all three positions up front, he already played them for us, and on a really high level, which helps us. He makes us stronger, which is really good.

"It's really important we have him back, for plenty of reasons."

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1Manchester CityMan City30225364214371
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd29169456322457
3Leicester CityLeicester29175753322156
4Chelsea29149644251951
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham28146842321048
6Liverpool29137948361246
7Everton28144104037346
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs28136947301745
9Aston Villa271251039281141
10Arsenal28125113729841
11Crystal Palace29107123147-1637
12Leeds UnitedLeeds28113144346-336
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2998122838-1035
14Southampton2996143651-1533
15Burnley2989122237-1533
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28611112936-729
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2877142845-1728
18Fulham29511132236-1426
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2939172057-3718
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2942231650-3414
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