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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Three teams are going to try to win the Premier League.
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