Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool could still see Jose Mourinho's "crazy" prediction come true.

 

Liverpool's chances of securing Champions League football next season have taken a significant blow after a run of poor form. Despite a 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United in January, Liverpool failed to build on this momentum and suffered a shock defeat to relegation-threatened AFC Bournemouth. Subsequent losses to Manchester City and a draw with Chelsea have seen Liverpool slip to eighth in the Premier League table, 10 points behind the top four with just 10 games remaining. However, Liverpool has been in a similar position before, and it is not impossible for them to turn their fortunes around.

In the 2020/21 season, Liverpool lost to Fulham in their 28th game of the campaign, leaving them in eighth place on 43 points with three teams above them having games in hand. However, Liverpool went on a 10-game unbeaten run, winning eight of their outstanding matches to finish third, surpassing Tottenham, Everton, West Ham United, Leicester City, and Chelsea. This feat was accomplished without playing any of the sides above them, which they were competing with directly.

Liverpool's fate is still in their hands as they have a game in hand on some of their rivals and a superior goal difference compared to the 2020/21 season. They also have home clashes with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa still to come, which could help their cause. However, their midfield woes of this year won't be solved until a transfer overhaul takes place in the summer.

It is a big ask for all the sides above Liverpool to drop the required points as Jurgen Klopp's men reverse their own fortunes to overhaul them in the remaining weeks of the season. However, Klopp has faced tough challenges before and could turn Liverpool's fortunes around. Mourinho's claim that finishing second with Manchester United in 2018 was one of the biggest achievements of his career may resonate with Klopp, who could similarly feel that securing Champions League football with Liverpool this season would be one of his best achievements in football.

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