Lovren: Reds prepared for battle on two fronts
Dejan Lovren says Liverpool are ready for a battle on two fronts as they attempt to secure a return to the Champions League this season.
The Reds remain in the hunt for the Europa League after reaching the tournament's quarter-finals with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Manchester United this week.
Meanwhile, three consecutive wins in the Barclays Premier League have brought Jürgen Klopp's team back into the race for a top-four finish.
Achieving either of those aims would ensure a spot at Europe's top table for next term, but Lovren has called for his teammates to double their chances by pushing for both.
"We know where we go if we achieve one or both our aims – the Champions League," he told the Mirror.
"There are another 10 games left in the Premier League and then five games, if we progress all the way in the Europa, and we will push hard in both directions.
"We have two games more to play than the other teams around us, so it’s an important game at Southampton and we are going there to win and close the gap to the top four.
"I definitely think we can do it – we have the momentum."
The Reds are enjoying arguably their best run of form this season ahead of today's trip to face Southampton at St Mary's.
And Lovren believes keeping that consistency going is key to finishing the campaign on a high.
"We are in a good moment after getting past United. It’s a great atmosphere around the club, the fans and the players are happy," he added.
"Everyone is fit now and we just need to be consistent. The problem earlier in the season was inconsistency, losing points against the smaller teams. That was the key thing.
"If we had the same attitude as we have had in these last four or five games, we would be at the top. But there are a lot of points still available – nothing’s done."