Jurgen Klopp hails ‘super important’ Liverpool victory over Leicester City in race for Champions League football

While the Foxes were dealt a huge blow in their fight for Premier League survival, the win for Liverpool strengthens their outside chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was thrilled with the result on Monday night which leaves the Reds one point behind Manchester United in fourth – although they have played a game extra.

“Very, very much so,” Klopp answered when asked how satisfying the result was. “[We] needed around about 15 minutes to figure out how we can build up, and how we can control. We were flexible enough, got everybody on the ball facing the other goal, good passing through the lines, and mixed it up as the first goal showed.

“Sensational first goal, top second goal – the passing again. We should have scored immediately after the third one. Between 55 and 57 [minutes] it was a bit too open for me, we didn’t control too much. They wanted to put a proper fight in, we avoided it most of the time.

“The boys were really focussed on the necessary stuff and then the third goal, what a wonderful little routine – I love it! Good win, super important for us. I think with that we are definitely playing Europa League next year [at least] which is great.

“Now we have two more difficult games. For tonight, I’m really happy.”

Jones swept home a Mohamed Salah cross after 33 minutes before the in-form midfielder doubled the Reds’ lead three minutes later.

With two assists already under his belt, Salah teed up Alexander-Arnold in a well-worked free-kick move before the defender fired a third past Daniel Iversen – confirming Salah’s first Premier League hat-trick of assists.

Next up for Liverpool is an in-form Aston Villa, who they’ll entertain at Anfield before their final game on the road to already-relegated Southampton.

For Leicester, a difficult trip to Newcastle beckons before hosting West Ham on the final day.