Klopp admits he waited too long to change 'big things' at Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp admits he waited TOO LONG to change ‘big things’ at Liverpool this season – as they’re left hoping for slip-ups from Newcastle and Man United to sneak into the top four

• Liverpool have closed the gap to the top-four after a six game run of victories 
• However, their hopes rely on one of Man United or Newcastle to slip-up 
• Jurgen Klopp has acknowledged he left it too late to make big changes 

Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he might have left it too late to change ‘big things’ at Liverpool following their struggles this season.

The Reds’ top-four hopes look dead and buried, as they were 12 points off Newcastle and Manchester United after their 2-2 draw with Arsenal last month.

Since then they have had six wins on the bounce, and though they are now just one point off the top four, Man United who occupy that fourth and final spot also hold a game-in-hand.

It means that Klopp’s side now have to rely on Newcastle and the Red Devils to drop points if they are to miraculously salvage a Champions League spot – even if they win their remaining three games. 

Ahead of their trip to Leicester on Monday, when asked about his side’s improvement in form, Klopp said:  ‘I spoke about that quite frequently, we tried to give ourselves a chance for a fresh start, we tried different football things.

Jurgen Klopp has admitted he waited too long to change things up at Liverpool this season

The Reds’ top-four hopes look dead and buried last month in what has been a miserable season

Liverpool’s recent improvement has perhaps come too late to salvage a top-four spot

‘We had 8 or 9 days for training between games, we wanted to almost start the new season already, it was a breath of fresh air for all of us.

‘We want to control the game differently, protect it differently, build up differently, it’s really good fun for us, to create something new. Then the results came in and it’s not a complete coincidence.

‘Sometimes you have to change big things, most of the time only little things but sometimes you do have to change big things, that is clear. 

‘We had a good reason to change things, imagine we changed it after we nearly won four trophies last season.’

Klopp then went on to make an admission about the changes as he added: ‘We maybe started it this season a bit late.’

Among the changes has seen Trent Alexander-Arnold play a hybrid midfield role, coming into central positions when the Reds have the ball.

It has been a frustrating season for the Reds who have at times thrown hints that they could return to form, before hitting another bad run of games.

Their 7-0 victory over Manchester United in March, was followed off by defeats to Bournemouth and Man City, as well as draws to Chelsea and Arsenal.

One of the most notable changes is that of Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in a more central role when Liverpool are in possession of the ball

Liverpool are relying on either Newcastle or Manchester United to slip up in the final weeks

Since they have won six games, scoring 17 goals in the process and are back in the hunt for the top four – though a lot will need to go their way.

Should they win their final three games, they will need Manchester United to drop points in two of their remaining four.

Otherwise, they would need Newcastle to suffer two defeats and a draw in their final four matches. 

Liverpool looked unlikely to make the top four two seasons ago, but a good end to the season, with big moments like Alisson’s winning header against West Brom, helped catapult them to third by the end of the season.

Klopp in reference to Alisson’s goal said: ‘Miracles happen. Again though, it was in our hands. 

‘Now we have to win but maybe nothing changes. Weeks ago, Champions League was completely out of sight but we have got closer.

‘But if Newcastle and Manchester United finish the season above us, they deserve it. It’s just about us winning. That’s it.’

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