Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits his team needs Champions League football to target top class signings.

A year after winning the Premier League, the Reds are now in a battle to finish in the top four.

They take on Chelsea on Thursday in a game they cannot afford to lose.

Klopp told reporters on Friday: "The main reason for qualifying for the Champions League is always financial. It is a great competition to play in but for the club it's about [finances].

"Sure, you want to excite some players. In the beginning we were sitting with some players who had offers from clubs who played in the Champions League and it was like 'ok, sorry, we can only offer nothing or Europa League!'

"But apart from that it's always about finances. This year there is no difference, I would say. I hope people still see we do our absolute best and try everything to make it happen, but we will see how it will end up.

"It is not that the owners called me and said 'if you don't qualify for the Champions League then this or that will happen', because we are all together. We all understand the situation. They know we try absolutely everything to qualify for the Champions League again, that's clear."