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Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have not blown Champions League chances

Jurgen Klopp looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Brom and Liverpool
Image: Jurgen Klopp is confident Liverpool can secure a top four place this season

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool have not blown their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League after suffering a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

The loss at Anfield has left the third-placed Reds looking over their shoulders, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal all having matches in hand.

City and United are only two and three points behind Klopp's men respectively with two matches in hand, while Arsenal could draw level on points if they win their three additional matches.

"I know there are a lot of people around thinking, 'Oh my God, Champions League slips through our fingers again', but only if we let it slip," Klopp said.

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"We have to try everything and we will try everything. Our job is to squeeze everything out of the season we can squeeze. Obviously it is not easy for us, that is not a surprise.

"There is one month to go; one wonderful football month with four games, so we will not give up, 100 per cent not.

"The boys have delivered a lot of this excitement, but now it's really about serious football. Do what you have to do, and we will do.

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"Maybe Adam Lallana (out injured since the end of March) is coming back for the next game, which of course would help us in different situations and that's good.

"We have now five or six days to train until Watford, so we will use it and then go to Watford. It will not be easy (to win) but possible and that's enough."

Christian Benteke scored twice on his return to Anfield as Palace came from behind to win and boost their chances of securing their Premier League status.

Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game with his team-mates during the Premier League match at Anfield, Li
Image: Christian Benteke celebrates scoring Crystal Palace's winner at Anfield

The Belgium forward was deemed surplus to requirements by Klopp last summer and was allowed to join Palace for £32m.

However Klopp, who had seen his side take the lead through a superb Philippe Coutinho free-kick, was unhappy with the way his players made it all too easy for Benteke.

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Highlights: Liverpool 1-2 Crystal Palace

"Christian Benteke is an outstandingly good striker, absolutely no doubt about it," he said.

"But if you leave him alone like we did for the first goal I am not sure he needed all his skills for this goal. It makes no sense to leave him alone.

"For the second goal just one player reacted and that is our mistake."

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