Jurgen Klopp makes Man Utd & Newcastle prediction following Liverpool’s six-game winning run

Jurgen Klopp has said it is unlikely that Liverpool will qualify for the Champions League next season, implying Manchester United and Newcastle United will beat his side to a top-four finish.

The Magpies are third ahead of this weekend’s fixtures, with United and Liverpool vying for fourth spot, although the latter have played one game fewer. Defeats in United’s last two matches to Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United have dented their top-four hopes, especially with Liverpool winning six league games in a row.

Despite that, Klopp said ahead of Monday’s match against Leicester City that he does not think his side will sneak into the final Champions League spot. “We played a really bad season, I think everyone in this room agrees - and now we have 62 points,” claimed the German in Friday’s press conference.

“It’s strange, there is still quality in the boys, in us. I am really happy we could show up, and where we will end up, it’s not about that. I know everyone wants to go to the Champions League but it’s not about that - 100% I want, but it’s just not really likely.

“That’s the situation we created, but to show up and show again that we are able to do special things, I’m really happy about. Winning six games in a row is great and if it was easy we would have done it much more often. Adding the seventh is even more difficult and then eight, nine, really difficult. It’s football and the other teams prepare for the game as well.

“This part of the season gave us a clear sign that we are still there,” Klopp added. “Not everything is bad around us. We had a bad season, but let’s see what we can make of it.”