Klopp still optimistic

Jurgen Klopp refused to write off Liverpool's hopes of forcing their way into the top four despite squandering a two-goal lead at Southampton.

Liverpool's 3-2 defeat meant they were unable to take advantage of Manchester City's home loss to Manchester United and move to within four points of Manuel Pellegrini's side who lie fourth having played a game more.

But Klopp insists that with nine games remaining, his side can still challenge although he conceded they cannot afford a repeat of their second half performance at St Mary's Stadium.

"There are 27 points still to play for," said the Liverpool manager. "We can get all of them, there's a chance. We don't have to dream of things like this we have to play football and win games.

"If we played like the first half we can win games. If we play like we did in the second half it will be more difficult."

Klopp was left stunned after his side had apparently been in control of the game at half-time after goals from Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.

Southampton recovered to take the points with Sadio Mane scoring twice, the second the 86th-minute winning goal two minutes after Graziano Pelle had equalised.

"I'm not that good a loser so I don't feel brilliant at this moment but this is football," said Klopp.

"I know it's like this. We have a few problems in the seond half. We could have done better.

"I'm not angry, I'm frustrated of course because we got nothing. We played well in the first half and not in the second half so for me that sounds like a draw but we got nothing."