Jurgen Klopp admitted the pressure is on his Liverpool side as they bid to force their way back into the Premier League’s top four.

After Real Madrid ended their Champions League ambitions on Wednesday, Liverpool’s only route into next year’s competition is via the league.

But Klopp’s men have been outside the top four since early February when a run of six defeats in seven was beginning, and they slipped to eighth before winning their last three in the league.

Among their tasks at Elland Road will be stopping Patrick Bamford, who has caught Klopp’s eye with 14 goals in 31 league appearances for Leeds this season, scoring at Anfield on the opening day in Leeds’ 4-3 defeat.

“He is a top player,” Klopp said. “I remember before the season I heard people say that Leeds need a proper goalscorer and that Bamford was not good enough so I am happy he could prove them all wrong.

“He’s an exceptional player. The work-rate is outstanding and he is playing the football he plays on top and scoring goals. That’s rare. They have a lot of interesting players but Bamford, I’m really happy for him.”