Newcastle United fans celebrated wildly as they watched their side beat Brighton on Thursday night, moving to within three points of Champions League football.
The Magpies now just need to win one more game, and have the chance to guarantee a top four finish with a victory against Leicester City on Monday.
However, there is a chance that it could be job done on Saturday. If Liverpool lose against Aston Villa at Anfield, they will no longer be able to catch Eddie Howe’s side.
The Reds have been doing their best to hunt down Newcastle and Manchester United, and will have been praying for the Magpies to drop points against Brighton.
That was a scary possibility for Toon fans, who were treated to an incredible display by their team. The second half was nervy, but all in all it was a real joy to watch Howe’s side last night.
There was real relief when the deadlock was broken, with Deniz Undav scoring an own goal to give Newcastle the lead. That set the Magpies on their way to a sensational 4-1 win.
There was jubilation on Tyneside, and now Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has described his reaction to the result on Merseyside.
Jurgen Klopp was not ‘disappointed’ about Newcastle game
Klopp has spoke to the Liverpool Echo ahead of his side’s game against Aston Villa, and admitted that he was not upset when he saw their top four rivals score.
“I never had hope of that (finishing in the top four),” he said.
“I don’t need that. I know we have to win all the games and there’s maybe a chance.
“I watched the game last night but wasn’t disappointed when Newcastle scored. The only time I was like that was when Vincent Kompany scored!
“Whatever Newcastle get, they deserve.”
Pressure now on Liverpool
While Klopp is not popular among Toon fans, this is a rare moment of grace from the 55-year-old. He knows that Newcastle are where they are because of merit. All his side can do is win, and even that might not be enough.
They are hoping for a slip up from either Newcastle or Man United, and are under major pressure to win their remaining two games.
First up for them is Aston Villa on Saturday, but even a win might not be enough come Monday.
With Leicester due to arrive at St James’ Park at the start of next week, Newcastle have the perfect chance to end this season on a high and achieve Champions League qualification with a game to spare.
As Klopp says, it is what Newcastle deserve. The only thing he can be disappointed with is his own team’s performance this season. But they have not delivered for the majority of the campaign, and it looks like Newcastle are going to be the benefactors.
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