Jurgen Klopp admits the Liverpool dressing room share Mo Salah's 'devastated' verdict after they missed out on a Champions League spot. The Reds' faint hopes of a top-four finish were extinguished on Thursday, after Manchester United joined Newcastle United in sealing their own place with victory over Chelsea.
Liverpool's run of seven straight wins had raised the prospect of overhauling either the Magpies or the Red Devils, despite a poor campaign by the club's own lofty standards. However, a home draw with Aston Villa in their last outing opened the door for their rivals to book their Champions League places before the final day, with Newcastle securing the point they required at home to Leicester City on Monday night.
Salah released a statement via social media in the wake of the Red Devils' win over Chelsea, apologising to supporters for their failure to qualify for the competition. It means Liverpool are in the unfamiliar position of preparing for a season in the Europa League, and Klopp was asked if he and his team shared Salah's reaction to the setback.
READ MORE: Chelsea urged to sign Bundesliga superstar compared to Newcastle's Allan Saint-Maximin
He told the Liverpool Echo: "We all think like that. This is not the season we wanted. I really think this is not a season we will talk about and we have failed to give the people more to enjoy, but we have given moments. The big disappointment is this little thing [Europa League], which is obviously a big one.
"It would have been a normal season if we finished fourth. Not great, but qualified. Sometimes you have to accept it. I've been here seven-and-a-half years, things are not always forward steps and sometimes there are dips. It's good I'm here this long but you have to reinvent yourself."
