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Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool’s march into the group stage of the Champions League will act as a catalyst for his Anfield reign.

The manager had urged his players to take “the next step” against Hoffenheim and they delivered in emphatic fashion to end the club’s three-year absence from Europe’s elite.

Now Klopp expects the Reds to kick on this season and mount a serious challenge for the big prizes.

Asked if reaching the group stage would give the squad greater belief, he said: “100%.

“Since I came in October 2015 we created in this building an atmosphere that is extremely special.

“We feel the power of this club, of the people, the skills and the knowledge of the people. But we can improve it.

“We need moments of qualifying for finals, and the will to win these finals. We need to show up all the time. Being part of the Champions League, if that is not a sign, then I don’t understand what a sign is.

“It was the hardest way to go there, but we did it finally and to be honest that feels even better. It is very important, yes for the whole club it was like a thank-you. That is the thing we wanted to reach, and we are happy with this because it is very important for all of us.

“Confidence builds. You gain experience from winning or losing games like this, but you want to have the kind of experience we have got now and that’s really good for the boys. I think they really deserved it.”

Liverpool go into Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal at Anfield on a high and Klopp insists his faith in the current crop has been rewarded.

The Reds boss has only added three new signings to his squad so far this summer in Mohamed Salah, Dominic Solanke and Andy Robertson.

“I think since we were together a lot of the players have improved, and that’s because of the group,” he added.

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“It’s because of the things we did, and the kind of way we treat each other. I really think that is a big part.

“It is always too quick (that critics write players off). We don’t think like this, I really trust these players and I really like developing together with them.

“That’s what we did before the Hoffenheim game, with all the mistakes we made and all the good things we did.

“Before we played Hoffenheim everyone said: ‘It’s just Hoffenheim.’ Then we played them and they said ‘Oh my God, it’s Hoffenheim.’ Then you win and it’s back to: ‘Oh, it was just Hoffenheim.’

“Now Hoffenheim have been really criticised in Germany, saying they were naive - that’s not my view.

“You always have to take it and make the next step and that’s what we did with the players here. Of course you have two bad games and everybody thinks we are not that good.

“In the end who wins? Whoever wants it the most. And against Hoffenheim for sure, we wanted it more.”