The Reds entertain Italian side Atalanta in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Thursday (11.04.24) and Klopp insists that the European commitments will not sidetrack his players as they bid to win the Premier League title.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Klopp said: "We don't need distractions, really. The Premier League, let me say again, before the season, nobody expected us to be where we are now. That's the truth.

"I don't think anybody said, 'Let's have a look at what Liverpool can do', after the season we played. I understand that. We had a lot of new players coming in. Nobody knew exactly how it would work out.

"Being in it and now all of sudden getting the role handed that we have something to lose, I just do not understand it. You cannot be the challenger the whole year, nobody expects you to be there and you are there and all of a sudden you can lose it. That makes no sense.

"We were for a long time in four competitions. Now it's only two left, but they are intense enough. I would like us to give it a go and let's see what we can make of it. I'm very, very happy with the situation we are in, in the league and in Europe. Exciting, challenging, but positive as well."

The Europa League is the only piece of silverware Klopp is yet to win as Liverpool boss and he hopes to complete a full set for the club before his exit this summer.

The coach said: "It's not about me. It's a competition we are in and I know how much it means. I'm a football person. I want to win it desperately, but not because of me. People make these kind of stories, I understand it as well, but it's just not necessary."