Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he was not aware of what was happening at Arsenal before half time.
With Arsenal two goals up in the first half and Liverpool struggling to break down a resolute Middlesbrough team, for a while it seemed the Reds could slip out of the top four on the last day of the season.
A goal on the brink of half time by Georginio Wijnaldum calmed the nerves at Anfield and strikes from Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana after the break sealed a return to the Champions League for the Reds.
Klopp admits that it has been a long and arduous season for his players and conceded that he didn’t expect the race for the top four to enter the final 45 minutes of the campaign.
He also added that he didn’t ask for the score at Arsenal before half-time as he feels it was fruitless because he had no influence over the game at the Emirates.
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The Liverpool manager told Sky Sports: "Exceptionally good. It is a long season and when our timing got better we were unbelievably dangerous.
“I could not imagine this morning it would be like this.
"I couldn't think it would be really tight until the end.
"I am really happy about this.
"I think people deserve this opportunity for us to be able to qualify for the Champions League.
"I asked for the results at half time and not before, so I had no idea about the Arsenal score.
"You have no influence and again the boys delivered.”
Arsenal have dropped out of the top four for the first time in Arsene Wenger’s reign and will not be in the Champions League after a run of over a decade-and-a-half.
