Jurgen Klopp accepted that Liverpool were not qualifying for the Champions League when his side drew against Aston Villa last weekend, which coincided with Manchester United earning a crucial three points against Bournemouth.
Although Erik ten Hag's side were considered a guarantee to secure a top-four finish in January, a few disappointing results gave Liverpool hope of closing the gap and they were able to build momentum.
Prior to last weekend, Liverpool were just a single point behind but they could only draw with Aston Villa at home.
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United defeated Bournemouth thanks to Casemiro's well-taken goal and Klopp, speaking at his last press conference of the season, said that was the moment that he knew Liverpool had lost the race, despite it not being official at that stage.
“It’s a fact we don’t have Champions League, even I knew after [the Aston Villa] game, clear,” Klopp said. “I drew a line underneath it. I am optimistic but in that moment I couldn’t see it.
“We’ve known for a long time it would not be a historic season. Since Dubai after the World Cup, the amount of points we’ve got since then was pretty good. If we could do that all season it would be a good one.
“This is not the season we wanted. I really think this is not a season we will talk about and we have failed to give the people more to enjoy, but we have given moments. The big disappointment is this little thing [the Europa League], which is obviously a big one.
“It would have been a normal season if we finished fourth. Not great, but qualified. Sometimes you have to accept it. I’ve been here seven-and-a-half years, things are not always forward steps and sometimes there are dips.
"It’s good I’m here this long but you have to reinvent yourself.”
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