Jurgen Klopp anticipates challenging top four battle with Chelsea & Tottenham not in Europe

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is expecting a ‘massively difficult’ challenge in qualifying for the Champions League this season.

Securing a top-four spot is considered a primary objective for the Reds after missing out on a Champions League qualification last term, finishing fifth in the Premier League.

Liverpool, along with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, were among the so-called ‘Big Six’ clubs that failed to secure a place in Europe’s most prestigious tournament. 

However, unlike their London counterparts, who missed out on European football entirely, Liverpool secured a spot in the Europa League group stage.

The Reds have enjoyed a remarkable start to the season and are one of only two Premier League clubs to maintain an unbeaten record across all competitions thus far.

Klopp’s side currently sit second on the Premier League rankings, two points behind league leaders and defending champions Manchester City.

They have also advanced to the Carabao Cup fourth round with a comfortable victory over Leicester City and began their Europa League campaign with a win against LASK.

Despite their terrific start to the season, Klopp claims finishing in the top four will be challenging, especially considering Chelsea and Spurs have more time on their hands without the additional burden of European football.

“Tottenham is not in European football – Chelsea is not in European football,” Klopp told reporters in his pre-match press conference.

“So that’s two heavyweights not in European football and having the whole week to train when others travel. It’s a massive advantage, so getting into the Champions League will be a massively difficult task this year.”

Liverpool will hope to preserve their unbeaten start to the season when they travel to London to take on a resurgent Spurs side led by Ange Postecoglou.

Spurs will also head into the clash yet to taste defeat in the Premier League, setting the stage for an exciting encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.