Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League are not realistic despite a fifth straight win, says boss Jurgen Klopp.
The in-form Reds, who only have four matches left, moved four points behind fourth-placed Manchester United after Mohamed Salah’s penalty sunk Fulham at Anfield.
However, United have two games in hand on fifth-placed Liverpool – including one at eighth-placed Brighton on Thursday – kick-off 20:00 BST.
Only leaders Manchester City have taken more points from the last six matches than Liverpool, but Klopp played down his side’s chances of sneaking into the top four.
“No. I don’t feel it like that but it means nothing. It’s about probabilities,” said the Reds boss when asked whether finishing fourth was now realistic.
“If Newcastle and Manchester United win all their games, we have no chance. If Brighton win all their games, they are ahead of us. That’s the situation. We just have to win our games and see where it takes us.
“At the moment I’m happy with our direction. We just have to keep going and in the end we’ll look at the table and take what we can get.”
Salah scored for the eighth home game in a row as Liverpool maintained their flourishing late-season form.
The Egypt forward beat Bernd Leno from the penalty spot in the 39th-minute after Darwin Nunez was fouled by Issa Diop.
However, it required an outstanding one-handed save by Liverpool’s Brazil keeper Alisson in the 77th-minute to keep out countryman Carlos Vinicius.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz in sparkling form, Liverpool created a string of chances but were unable to add to their lead before Fulham threatened after half-time.
Despite defeat, the Cottagers remain on course for a first top-10 Premier League finish since 2011-12.
Salah’s remarkable scoring form continues
The last time Salah failed to score in a game at Anfield was way back on 21 January, while he now has 99 in all competition’s at Liverpool’s iconic home.
He is the first Liverpool player to score in eight consecutive home appearances since Luis Suarez did so between April 2013 and January 2014.
Having missed from the spot recently against Bournemouth and Arsenal, he has now scored penalties in back-to-back games to help maintain Liverpool’s winning momentum.
With just 12 points to play for, Liverpool might have left themselves too much to do in terms of sealing a top-four spot but Klopp’s side are certainly finishing the season strongly.
Alexander-Arnold has come in for criticism this season but he was at his outstanding best registering three attempts – including one on target – while Diaz earned a standing ovation for his work in a move which saw Salah fire over the bar in the second-half.