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Klopp: We need fast start vs. Boro as UCL hangs in balance

West Ham United v Liverpool - Premier League

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on May 14, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

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Jurgen Klopp knows the import of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, which is why his Reds will come charging out of the gates on Sunday against relegated Middlesbrough.

Liverpool has everything to play for at Anfield, a win guaranteeing that Arsenal cannot catch it for fourth-place in the Premier League.

[ WENGER: Decision soon after FA Cup Final ]

Klopp reiterated what everybody knows, that top players are wooed by UCL play. More importantly, its absence can make the difference between both players finding Anfield as desirable as the Etihad Stadium, or Westfalenstadion, or the Vicente Calderon.

So, yeah, go get ‘em, boys. From Sky Sports:

“The best thing would be if we are 4-0 up after two minutes but that won’t be possible.

“Football games develop - and that always depends on the start. The start is important but if it is not good it does not mean we will stop. We will fight, that’s clear. But Middlesbrough are a football playing side. They have good players. They are good counter-attacking, quick wingers, very experienced striker.”


There would almost zero question about this fixture and Arsenal’s hopes -- the Gunners host Middlesbrough -- but Liverpool has a number of question marks regarding their record against lower half sides.

Follow @NicholasMendola