Michael Owen exclusive - Why Jurgen Klopp will escape criticism if he fails in Champions League push

Michael Owen believes Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will escape criticism from the club’s fans this season – even if his team fails to secure a top four finish in the Premier League.

Speaking exclusively to Yahoo Sport UK, BT Sport pundit Owen backed his former club to win the increasingly tense race to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

Yet he insisted the finger of blame will not be pointed at Klopp if Liverpool fail to achieve their primary target for this season.

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“The whole club from the boardroom to the fans have bought in to Jurgen Klopp and no matter what happens, you have to give someone time to work if you put your faith in them,” Owen told us.

“No matter what happens in these final four games of the season, I don’t think there will be a huge outcry against the manager.

“There have been some disappointments this season, but there general feeling remains very positive towards Klopp and his players.

“I don’t see that changing in the coming weeks, but there will be pressure on next season if things don’t work out and Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League.

“I still think they will get into that top four and even if there was some gloom and doom a few results recently, there remains a positive atmosphere around the club and that is inspired by Klopp.”

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With two Premier League games left to play, third placed Liverpool head into this Sunday’s match at West Ham under pressure to win a game that could cement their place in next season’s Champions League. The faltering form of Arsenal and Manchester United is helping their cause.

Yet Owen suggests Klopp deserves credit for making progress at Liverpool this season, despite spending less than most of his top six rivals in the Premier League last summer.

“When you consider that Klopp did not spend too much money last summer, you would say that he has done a decent job so far this season,” he continues.

“Signing players is a difficult task in the modern game because every team in England has so much money and they don’t need to sell their best players any more.

“Klopp and Liverpool might fancy signing half a dozen players ahead of next season, but it is not easy to get Premier League clubs to part with their best talent in an era when every club in England is financially secure and has no need to sell.

“That means it is even more important to produce your own players and that will be good for the game. As Tottenham have shown this season, bringing through a player like Harry Kane or signing a young talent in Dele Alli can produce big rewards and Liverpool have some youngsters coming through who should be good enough for the first team in the near future.

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“I expect Klopp to spend some money in the summer, but if they finish in the top four this season and show real improvement from last year, then that has to be seen as a successful season.”

Victory for Liverpool in their final two games of the season against West Ham and already relegated Middlesbrough will secure their return to the Champions League for only the second time in the last seven years.

Follow the conclusion of the Champions League and Europa League live on BT Sport.