Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool are getting 'close' in the race for the top four, and warned his players they must aim to match the standard of performance in their 7-0 win over Manchester United for the remainder of the season.
Liverpool climbed above Newcastle United into fifth and sit only three points adrift of the top four. The Magpies trail Liverpool by just one-point having played a game fewer than Klopp's side, and boast two games in hand over fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur, who are currently four points above Eddie Howe's men.
Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah all bagged braces, before Roberto Firmino added a seventh in the 88th minute to record an historic victory for the Reds. Salah surpassed Robbie Fowler as Liverpool's all-time Premier League top goal scorer as they registered their heaviest ever win over the Red Devils.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola's impassioned response as Man City boss wowed by size of 'exceptional' Newcastle
Klopp insists Liverpool are back in the race for Champions League qualification, but warned that his players must be aware of the unpredictable nature of the Premier League.
"It puts us in the direction that's how it is," Klopp told Sky Sports. "We are getting close. Everybody has to feel else - we are still around! It was not the case for a while and now tonight it was really a proper show of what we could be, what we can be, and that's what we have to be from now on.
"We don't talk about the score line, we just talk about the performance. That's really helpful if you see the goal difference I think it's +19 or something like that.
"For tonight, perfect, but we all know that Bournemouth lost yesterday against Arsenal pretty much lost in the last second so they are fighting to stay in the league. So it's not going to be a walk in the park. It will be tough and we have to make sure we're reading for that."
READ NEXT
Eddie Howe sends message to Man City after brawl and Guardiola knows what's coming from Newcastle
Newcastle anger Man City players and Eddie Howe may face an emotional decision - 5 things
Eddie Howe prepared to lose Newcastle players he 'loves' as 'tough' emotional calls to be made
Some Newcastle players to 'fall off from ride' as club's ruthless rebuild enters its next phase
Everything Eddie Howe said on Man City, cup final agony and injuries at Newcastle press conference
