Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted his side’s final game of the season is not a “cup final” as they battle to hold off Arsenal’s charge and secure a top four finish.
The Reds have to beat Middlesbrough at Anfield on Sunday to be sure of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
Striker Divock Origi said the match, in which Liverpool can secure Champions League qualification for just the second time since 2010, would be “like a final” for Klopp’s side.
It may not be a metaphor that Klopp would appreciate, with the German having lost in his last five appearances in cup finals.
“I don’t think we need different kinds of descriptions for this game, so it’s a ‘cup final’ or a ‘World Cup final’ or that it’s the most important game of however many years and everything,” Klopp said.
“It is a football game. If we really—and I know we do—expected from ourselves that in each game we win the game, what is the difference?
“We have to defend well, we have to be good organisationally, we have to create chances and we have to score goals.
“So that is not a big difference and I don’t think that anybody needs this special motivation or whatever.”
Daniel Sturridge could be in line to feature against a Middlesbrough side who have proven their defensive acumen despite having already been relegated.
The injury-plagued England international scored his first goal since January in a 4-0 win at West Ham that kept Liverpool in control of their Champions League destiny and Klopp is convinced Sturridge can play a key role as Liverpool bid to break down Boro.
“Daniel is a wonderful option to have, but it is all about being fit or not. It is not the name we bring on the pitch, it is the player, the human being, in this specific shape.
“I only think about now, at this moment, and I trust him 100 per cent. He’s an instinctive footballer and a fantastic striker. For us, it’s good news that he’s now available.”
