Ex-Liverpool striker John Aldridge admits that Reds manager Jurgen Klopp needs Champions League football next season at Anfield to attract the kind of players he wants this summer.
Villarreal scored a late goal at the Madrigal in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final last week against Liverpool and the Reds are aware that they need a big performance at Anfield tonight to come back in the tie.
Liverpool’s season rests on winning the tournament as it is their only route back into the Champions League and Aldridge feels it is vital that the club get back to Europe’s high table next season.
The former Red believes for Klopp to stamp his authority at the club he needs his own players and the Champions League is important for the German to sign the kind of personnel he wants during the summer transfer window.
Aldridge told LFC TV: “He wants to stamp his authority on Liverpool Football Club.
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“But to go to the next stage, and be in the Champions League, he can attract the players he wants.
“With all the extra money coming, it will give him a massive opportunity to do things a lot easier than perhaps what it would take if we are just in the Europa League next season.”
Liverpool have already been linked with a number of players for the summer transfer window, but the club are expected to pull the trigger on proposed deals after the season ends.
