Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims he 'wasn't disappointed' watching Newcastle United beat Brighton - despite the result all but ending the Reds' hopes of usurping the Magpies for Champions League football next season.
The Merseyside outfit have put together an incredible run of form lately, winning seven on the spin, to put the pressure on both Newcastle United and Manchester United in the hunt for a place in Europe's premier competition. Klopp's men can once again cut the deficit to one point by beating Aston Villa on Saturday but the Magpies have the blessing of a game in hand in their favour.
Addressing Newcastle's impressive 4-1 win over Brighton and his team's Champions League hopes, the German admitted: "I never had hope for that [qualifying for the Champions League]. I don't need that.
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"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."
Klopp is usually battling it out for titles but this season league leaders Manchester City have had Arsenal to compete with at the top. Pep Guardiola has been ultra complimentary about Newcastle throughout their impressive campaign and also heaped praise on Eddie Howe's side when quizzed over his own team's achievements this season.
Asked if this championship would mean more than any other since joining the Etihad outfit, Guardiola replied: "No. We cannot deny the titles vs Liverpool were easier. Not at all.
"The top six were closer. Newcastle are one game away from the Champions League, I saw them against Brighton, to see how good they played. Newcastle deserve to be there."
Howe will no doubt be happy to receive praise from such esteemed counterparts but the Newcastle boss continues to focus solely on his team and ensuring they get over the line in the remaining two games. "The Champions League is so close, but so far away as well," Howe said at full-time.
"We will enjoy tonight but we are focused on our next match. We were just pleased with the performance, to beat a side of their quality. We are not looking too far ahead. When it's done, I'll talk about it for fun if you want."
