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Joel Matip believes Liverpool's unity and spirit can help propel them into the Champions League.

The Reds centre-back says last week's warm weather training camp in La Manga strengthened the bond in Jurgen Klopp's squad as they look to step up their charge for a top-four finish.

“It was intense but great,” Matip told the ECHO.

“We are on a good way. It was a good five days - spending time together with your team-mates and laughing a lot.

“We worked hard and then away from training we had some funny moments.

“We are all working together. We all want to win. We are all getting closer and closer, and that can only help us to achieve good things.”

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

As part of Klopp's team building mission, the manager picked names out of a hat to determine who would share rooms in Spain.

“I was with Trent Alexander-Arnold,” Matip said.

“It was fine. I'm not sure if he was okay with me but I'm pretty quiet so I don't think I will have disturbed him too much!”

With Liverpool back at Melwood for a double session on Tuesday, the focus has turned to next Monday night's trip to struggling Leicester City.

Claudio Ranieri's champions, who have endured a wretched six-game winless run in the Premier League, sit just a point clear of the relegation zone.

The Foxes are the only side in the top four English divisions without a league goal in 2017.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

But Matip insists a wounded Leicester side can't be taken lightly and says Liverpool must play with the same intensity they showed in the recent victory over Tottenham.

“Last year was a fantastic season for Leicester but this season they have found it more difficult,” he said.

“They have been playing with more pressure maybe and everybody thought differently about them.

“They have found it hard but they have quality in their team. It will be a hard game.

“Leicester showed their quality when they won the league and most of those players are still there. We have to show everything we have in order to win.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

“We hope that beating Tottenham was a positive sign. Now we need to continue like this and keep on a winning track.”

With second to sixth place in the Premier League separated by just four points, Matip knows there is little margin for error during the run-in.

“It's going to be tight,” he said.

“Every point counts. We have to fight for everything if we want to be there. Lose and it will be more difficult to get higher.”

Matip's usual centre-back partner Dejan Lovren remains a fitness doubt due to the knee injury which has forced him to miss the past two matches.

But the former Schalke defender insists Lucas Leiva has already proved himself as a very able deputy.

“Lucas has done a very good job. He played brilliantly in the last game against Tottenham,” Matip said.

“I try to help him. Normally, he's a midfielder but he's performed like he's always been a centre-back.”

Matip was speaking alongside team-mate Kevin Stewart at an LFC Foundation event at Anfield Sports and Community Centre.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

The duo took part in a coaching session with around 40 disabled and 40 able-bodied participants as part of the community inclusion programme. It forms part of four days of half-term activities.

“It's a pleasure for me to be here and to see the smiles on the faces of the people involved,” Matip said.

“It's something really special. The LFC Foundation do a lot of great work and it's very important how they stay connected with the community and try to do a lot of things to help.”

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Liverpool are one of a number of clubs who benefit from the Premier League and BT Disability Fund. It was launched this season to help subsidise community inclusion schemes.

Head of the LFC Foundation Andrea Cooper said: “Half-term is always a really important time for us.

“Our focus is on bringing together the LFC family to support children and young people, creating life changing opportunities for them. Half-term is a hotbed of activity.

“This is the first time we have delivered this particular programme. It's an inclusion camp bringing together over 80 young people – half have a disability and half don't.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

“Often you have provision which is separated but this brings everyone together. It offers the chance to play sports, meet new friends, have some fun and keep fit and active.

“It meant so much to them meeting Joel and Kevin. They're going to the stadium on Wednesday and then on day four they'll meet Gary McAllister.”