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Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool finally have the strength in depth required to maintain a challenge both domestically and in Europe.

The Reds currently find themselves third in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s visit of Newcastle and on the brink of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

You have to go back to 2008/09 for the last time Liverpool secured a top-four finish domestically and reached the last eight of Europe’s elite club competition.

Both of the Reds’ top-four finishes since have come in seasons when they didn’t have the added demands of continental action.

Liverpool’s previous Champions League campaign in 2014/15 saw them crash out at the group stage and trail home sixth in the Premier League. Klopp says serious competition for places is enabling his side to shine on both fronts this time around.

(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“That was with different people - that was not us,” Klopp said.

“I do not know how many of these players were involved in these Champions League problems.

“Yes, in my first season when we got to the Europa League final after 64 games it was difficult to manage. That was not a Liverpool problem but a general problem.

“There is a job to do. If you have no European football, you train all week and prepare for the next game. In England you have games every two or three days.

“At the moment all the players are fit and want to play. That is a good sign. They are keeping the pressure up with their performances.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“There is Trent (Alexander-Arnold), for example. Now Joe (Gomez) needs to show up after being out for one or two games. Stuff like that.

“Alberto (Moreno) went out with injury then Robbo (Andy Robertson) came in. I do not need to say anything. They see and it keeps them awake for the rest of the season because there is a lot to go for.”

Liverpool are also benefiting from a much improved injury record this term. Klopp’s rotation policy earlier in the campaign has helped to keep key personnel fit and firing.

“The problem is a period in November/December when you have injuries and you cannot rest everyone,” Klopp added.

(Image: (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))

“You can’t have 40 players in your squad. It means if you have players who must play all the time, they will be injured when the others are coming back in January. And people coming back are not in the best shape because they are coming back.

“You need a bit of luck. Chelsea last year played with pretty much the same team. That is cool. It helps.

“We have not had too much luck but we have been able to rotate in this area pretty much through the season.

“I don’t like to talk too much of injuries. You think you have one problem as a manager and the next day it is a completely different problem.

"But if it stays like this it will help us for sure.”