Jurgen Klopp has challenged his Liverpool players to ensure momentum going into the new season by continuing to build on their strong end to the current campaign.
The Reds will aim to register a fifth consecutive Premier League win for the first time in more than a year when they host Brentford on Saturday evening.
While Klopp's side have lost only two of their last 12 top-flight matches, they remain unlikely to force their way into the Champions League qualification berths with only four to play. The Reds have played a game more than both third-placed Newcastle United and Manchester United in fourth, who they trail by six and four points respectively.
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Nevertheless, Liverpool could yet finish on 71 points, which would surpass their total in finishing third two seasons ago after a similar campaign disrupted by injury and loss of form.
And when asked if a strong end to the season could improve chances of signing new players in the summer, Klopp instead focused on the impact it can have on those members of the squad already at the club for next term.
"Everything is important," said the Liverpool boss. "As an example, Curtis Jones - it is not his fault it was a catastrophic season for him because he was injured. No-one knew, he didn’t know when it happened, he was like, 'I felt something but I had worse things when a muscle was painful or whatever'. We scanned it and he is out for four months and then you sit and wait.
"While he is not playing people say forget him, but now he is playing and playing good. Each performance we have now helps us and helps the players. We cannot replace the whole team, and how I understand life is if you have a problem you sort it better now because if you just move on you have the same problem.
"We have to give the boys a frame where they can perform because I see them every day. I know they want to perform, it is not that they say, 'I cannot do that anymore'. We were not able to do it, that is true, for a long period, but we will find a frame where the boys can shine again. That is much more likely for them to be the best version of themselves again, that is what we always try and everything we do well now will help us for next season.
"These last five games, I like the reaction in moments, it is not full games and I am thinking we couldn’t have played better, but the signs I saw are really promising and I am happy with that. Another four games, a break then a proper pre-season and we will be strong."
With Liverpool playing their third home game in seven days, Klopp is likely to rotate his resources with Andy Robertson poised to return at left-back in place of Kostas Tsimikas. Jordan Henderson is a major doubt in midfield, with Harvey Elliott and James Milner vying to replace the skipper should he miss out.
In attack, Cody Gakpo could return after being rested to the bench in the 1-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday, although Diogo Jota continues to be troubled by back and rib problems. Thiago Alcantara has joined Stefan Bajectic and Calvin Ramsay in being ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Roberto Firmino and Naby Keita are still sidelined.
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