Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool are surpassing his expectations in the Premier League this season - but can understand the disappointment of supporters after the recent stumble in the title race.

The Reds were two points clear at the start of the month but went into the weekend down in third place, two points adrift of leaders Manchester City and behind Arsenal on goal difference.

They have endured a difficult April having wasted chances to win during a 2-2 draw at Manchester United, had their unbeaten home league record ended by Crystal Palace and been dumped out of the Europa League at the quarter-final stage by Atalanta.

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Liverpool, though, were not considered genuine title contenders at the start of the campaign having finished fifth last term and subsequently undergoing an extensive midfield rebuild following the departures of skipper Jordan Henderson, vice-captain James Milner, number six Fabinho and both Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

But the Reds, who won the League Cup in February, now need only eight points from their remaining six games to secure a top-four berth and a return to the Champions League.

And asked if it was a monumental achievement for Liverpool to be so close to the top at this stage of the season, Klopp - whose side are at Fulham on Sunday - said: "It is.

Who would have thought that?

"I wouldn't have been angry at the start of the season if somebody had asked 'would it be a big success if you could qualify for the Champions League?'.

"But it's absolutely positive where we are, 100%.

But now you go out in the streets and you go up to the people and ask them, would they have said immediately 'ah, it's a great season, who cares about the Crystal Palace game, who cares about United, who cares about Atalanta?'.

I will try my absolute best to give that to the boys as well and I'm sure they are ready for that.

"We all understand in the right way that the next big job is in front of us."

Along with Liverpool, both City and Arsenal have previously let slip the lead in the title race this season, although Klopp has reiterated the message his players should only concentrate on their own remaining games.

"Maybe it's the right time that we became the hunter again, I don't know!" laughed Klopp, speaking to Sky Sports.

Of course, they can.

"But our situation is not what City are doing, it's only what we are doing.
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