Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists it’s vital to be ‘back to winning ways’ ahead of Premier League title charge despite their aggregate defeat by Atalanta… as he hails his side’s ‘desire and power’

Jurgen Klopp was keen to focus on the positives following Liverpool’s Europa League exit on Thursday, highlighting the importance of ‘getting back to winning ways’ despite an aggregate 3-1 defeat to Atalanta.

Klopp admitted their shock 3-0 first-leg defeat at Anfield was a ‘huge hurdle’ to climb. Klopp praised his side’s ‘desire and strength’ after Mohamed Salah’s penalty gave the Reds a 1-0 win that evening in Bergamo.

Like their Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City, who also crashed out of Europe following Champions League defeats to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively on Wednesday, Liverpool will now focus on their final six league games of the season in a bid to a fairytale ending for Klopp, who will leave Anfield this summer.

“It was clear we set ourselves a huge hurdle,” the German told TNT Sports after crashing out of Europe. ‘I really enjoyed the game tonight, with the desire and strength the boys showed. It was incredible of them.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold had only just returned from injury and was called up to start in Italy as cover for Conor Bradley, who suffered an ankle problem during Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace.

The Reds, who were pictured despondent at full-time, failed to overturn their 3-0 deficit from the first leg against Atalanta but still won the away leg 1-0 thanks to a first-half penalty from Mo Salah

The Egyptian star scored early from the spot as Liverpool made the perfect start in Bergamo

Klopp admitted it was ‘insane’ that the England international was on the pitch at all given his injury problems of late. He claimed the match could have gone a different way had he been fully fit and shooting.

‘It was really difficult and we were too rushed at times. If Trent Alexander-Arnold had been a little fitter we could have gone on a little longer, but it’s crazy that he played at all! In the end he ran out of gas,” Klopp added.

‘We won the match and that was the reaction we wanted to show. It was difficult and we knew it would be, but they deserve to give it 100%.

‘We have to focus on the competition and that is exactly what we will do from now on. Tonight we won the game, so we’re back to winning ways. We have a few days to recover to play against Fulham again. That will be a different game, but it will be difficult.’

‘It’s mixed emotions. We’re out, but I’m happy with the match. We would have liked to go to Dublin, but that didn’t happen.

‘We now have one more match and we are going to focus fully on that.’

Klopp said it was ‘insane’ that Trent Alexander-Arnold (left) could play for so long after only recently returning from injury, quickly recalled due to Conor Bradley’s ankle problem

Gian Piero Gasperini cheered for a job well done as his Atalanta squad continues to develop

Virgil van Dijk cheered on traveling supporters after Liverpool’s exit from the Europa League

The Reds will prepare to face free-scoring Fulham this weekend, level with Arsenal in second place and two points behind leaders Manchester City.

While all remaining matches are must-win games, Liverpool’s title challenge could be over without maximum points in the next three games against Fulham, Everton and West Ham, as Klopp’s side face top four chasers Tottenham and Aston Villa in two of their last games. three games of the season.