Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Newcastle United would be 'happy' if Liverpool were not chasing them down - even if the Reds boss conceded it is 'more likely' the Magpies will qualify for the Champions League.
Newcastle remain in third place in the table with just three games to go as Eddie Howe's side bid to return to Europe's top table for the first time in 20 years. Although fifth-placed Liverpool have the chance to close the gap to just a point, by defeating Leicester City tonight, Newcastle's fate remains in their own hands and the black-and-whites will still have a game in hand.
Newcastle know that, regardless of Liverpool's results, five points from their final fixtures against Brighton, Leicester City and Chelsea will be enough to qualify for the Champions League if Howe's team preserve their superior goal difference. That is why Klopp feels this is a very different situation to when Liverpool ended the season strongly to secure a place in the top four in 2021 thanks to goalkeeper Alisson's stoppage-time header against West Brom on the final day or when the Reds recovered from a 3-0 deficit against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals to win the tie 4-3 two years earlier.
