Liverpool have sealed their place in next season’s Champions League after beating Norwich at Carrow Road, reports dailystar.co.uk
The Reds have dropped two points all season as their relentlessly charge towards their first Premier League title.
Jurgen Klopp watched his side win their 25th game of the season against the Canaries and can now begin planning for next season’s Champions League.
It is hardly as if their spot at Europe’s top table was in much doubt but much like their willingness to accept their status as champions, until the maths says otherwise they won’t rest on their laurels.
Liverpool’s spot in the Champions League is dependent on Manchester City’s UEFA ban being upheld after they were penalised for breaches of Financial Fair Play.
Klopp admitted he was shocked at the severity of the ban but was keen to talk about their exploits on the pitch rather than off it.
“It was a shock. Complete wow,” he said. “The only thing I can say is about football. What they have done on the football pitch is exceptional. The rest, I don’t know. You believe the people you work with, that’s how it is.
“I really feel for them, Pep [Guardiola] and the players, but that is how it is. They can appeal so we will see what happens then. It is obviously serious. But the football they played was exceptional and will always be exceptional.”
It means Pep Guardiola’s side will not participate in the Champions League next season or the one after, meaning whoever finishes fifth will qualify.
Currently that could be any number of clubs with Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Sheffield United and Wolves all slugging it out.
But Liverpool’s point tally is such that with 12 games to go they cannot be caught and overtaken by the side’s below them. Fourth-placed Chelsea have 41 points – some 35 less than the Reds.
