Newcastle United’s top four rivals Liverpool failed to win on Tuesday night, and Jurgen Klopp has now cast doubt over his side finishing in the top four.
After beating Manchester United and moving into third, Newcastle are the hunted once again. Teams blow are trying to displace them, one of which is Liverpool.
The Reds have endured a miserable season, but have had an outside chance of finishing in the top four. They looked like favourites to qualify for the Champions League after they beat the Magpies at St James’ Park in February.
They have since dropped off again, and their top four bid took another hit on Tuesday night. They drew 0-0 with Chelsea, meaning they edged just one point closer to the Champions League places.
Jurgen Klopp needs Newcastle to lose
It was a good result for Eddie Howe’s side, and now Klopp has admitted to the Liverpool Echo that he needs the likes of Newcastle to majorly slip up between now and the end of the season.
“I don’t know if we have any chance for the top four,” he said.
“We must pretty much win all the games and the other teams above us must lose a lot of games. It’s not in our hands.”
Newcastle can go 10 points clear of Liverpool
Following the draw with Chelsea, Liverpool are now eighth in the league. They are seven points behind Newcastle.
And that gap could increase to 10 if the Magpies beat West Ham on Wednesday night. It will be a tough game, but Toon fans will be buoyed by the fact that Joe Willock appears to be fit for the trip to the capital.
With 11 games to go, it is Newcastle’s to lose. We have put ourselves in a brilliant position. It is in our hands.
Liverpool look to be completely out of it right now, and Klopp is far from upbeat about his side’s top four chances.
The emerging threat could be Brighton, who won again on Tuesday night. They have played the same number of games as Newcastle, and are four points behind.
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