Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists his first choice XI is already "Champions League quality".

Klopp, speaking with The Times, played down their defensive problems this season.

He said, “Somebody blocks a ball on the line, and you say 'brilliant defending' but it's not; brilliant defending would have been if the guy couldn't have had the shot.

“Big heart, passionate moment, but the defending was s***. Defending is the team.

“The more offensive you are, the more space you give the other team. We conceded too many goals. Most of them come from counterattacks and set pieces, so losing the ball in the wrong moment, don't have the protection, it's our fault. If our defending wasn't good, do you think I'd keep them?

“We can finish fourth, we play brilliant football in a few games this year, so when our squad is fully fit it's a Champions League squad already, especially the line-up."