Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool are now ready for the Premier League title run-in despite watching their hopes of Europa League glory ended in Italy.
The Reds were unable to produce an unlikely comeback in their quarter-final second leg at Atalanta on Thursday evening, with a 1-0 win meaning they slipped out 3-0 on aggregate.
Liverpool, who had lost their previous two games, will now concentrate solely on the Premier League, where they stand just two points adrift of champions Manchester City in third place with six games remaining.
LFC PLAYER RATINGS: Mohamed Salah worrying and two others really poor vs Atalanta
AS IT HAPPENED: Atalanta vs Liverpool score updates and analysis
And while frustrated his side were unable to build on Mohamed Salah’s early penalty in Bergamo, Klopp was satisfied with the message sent out by his players.
“I love the way we started the game,” said the Reds boss. “We didn't lose the tie tonight, we lost it at home. It's very easy to congratulate Atalanta because they deserved to go through.
“When you win a tie against us 3-1 in especially this way you deserve it absolutely. But I loved our game, especially the start. I loved the commitment, desire and power we developed in this game but it was clear we had better score from time to time otherwise it could be tricky over 90 minutes.
“How it always is: the second goal could have helped a little bit. Atalanta started confident but with a few situations we had I think we gave them some concerns and they realised it would not be easy and that's the game we gave them.
“I am really fine with that. Disappointed with didn't go through but not frustrated or angry. Now we have a few days to recover and travel the day after tomorrow to London and will play Fulham (on Sunday), which will be tricky.
“I saw a good reaction from my side. This was a start for the rest of the season with a good result and a good performance obviously.”
After a hard-working first-half showing, Liverpool tired during the second half with Atalanta comfortably seeing out the closing stages to reach a first European semi-final since 1988.
And asked if freshness or tactics will be the most important factor in the closing weeks of the Premier League title battle with City and Arsenal, Klopp said: “It’s always a mix of all. Imagine we wouldn’t be tired but with a s**t tactical plan, not so sophisticated. Or the other way round, a great plan and tired.
“It is the best league in the world, I have watched a lot football and whatever other leagues say, Italy has improved, Spain is fantastic, Bundesliga is there, but the Premier League is the most intense league, definitely.
“Besides Villa, all the teams are out in the quarter-finals. Because of extra European games they are getting rid of FA Cup replays. It’s just tricky but it’s not my problem any more. It’s my last European game and I’ll watch it and hopefully not speak any more about these kind of things.
“It’s a tough period and has to be tough. Three teams are going to try to win the Premier League. If that would be easy then something would be completely wrong. It was always a mix of sophisticated plans and physical and mental freshness.”
