When it comes to Champions League qualification, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp acknowledges that his team "were around when miracles happened," but he also acknowledges that this time, their fate is not in their own hands.
The team was in eighth place a month ago, 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United. However, after six straight wins, they are now only one point behind their opponents, who still have a game in hand.
It was mentioned to Klopp that his team had previously pulled off incredible comebacks, not least when they overcame a 3-0 first-leg deficit to defeat Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals they won in 2019.
They also came from a seemingly hopeless position in the Premier League in 2021 when they made a late push into the top four, recording eight wins and two draws in their final 10 games, including goalkeeper Alisson Becker scoring a game-winning goal at West Brom in the 90th minute after being completely eliminated in March.
"It is not that we mention it but everyone who was involved in these moments will never forget it in our entire lives," said Klopp.
"That means it is part of us and, you are right, we were around when miracles happened, that is true, but it was then still in our hands."
"We had to score against West Brom and we had to win against Barcelona. Now we have to win but that does not mean anything changes because the other teams could win all their games.
"I knew weeks ago it was completely out of sight, I couldn't see it at all, but that did not mean we would not try to get closer. That's the only thing we did, we got closer."
In his second full season in 2017–18, Klopp remembers Liverpool being in the position of the team being pursued, and he is aware of how difficult it is for the clubs holding the qualification spots.
But he doesn't think their recent success, together with previous losses for third-placed Newcastle and United, has been able to put that much pressure on their top-four competitors.
"I am pretty sure we were in a situation like that years ago. I think Chelsea was winning all the time behind us so we had to win all the games," he said.
"It's not comfortable but in the end we made it anyway. Newcastle and United would be happy if we would not be there any more, but still it is more likely they will do it."
"I respect that. If they finish the season above us, they deserve it and that's how I see it."
United's consecutive 1-0 losses to Brighton and West Ham have given Jurgen Klopp's team some hope, but Ten Hag said he was unconcerned with Liverpool's performance.
“Of course we can ignore it,” he said. “Why not? Because it’s not important. We have everything in our hands and as long as we have things in our hands, so we are in control, as long as that, we are not dependent on them. We are dependent on ourselves.”
Liverpool's next game isn't until Monday when they travel to a weakened Leicester team; by then, United is hoping to have a four-point lead. Despite the strain, Ten Hag claimed his team was not showing any signs of trepidation.
“We are convinced with what we are doing, we have a lot of success, we have won a lot of games,” he said.
“The way we work, the way we’re playing, the structures are really clear but we have to execute them and show 100 per cent discipline in rules and principles. When we do that, we are successful.”
Wolves were last in the Premier League before Christmas, but they have bucked the previous precedent that says that means they are doomed and are now guaranteed a spot in the league after moving up to 40 points with three games remaining.
“We have to take them seriously,” Ten Hag said of Julen Lopetegui’s side. “They have done a great job, but they also have deficits and we have to take advantage of that.”
In a season that has already seen them play 57 games, United has had a rare full week of preparation for this encounter. Ten Hag claimed that after giving his team a break, he could notice a difference this week.
“We had a week and we needed it to reset, to reload, to recharge and to get energy back because we had a lack of it in the last two games,” he said. “I see a lot of energy, joy on the pitch, we could also work in detail on some facts, so was good.”
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