Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah said he was “devastated” the club missed out on a Champions League spot next season and added “there is absolutely no excuse for that”.
Liverpool will finish fifth and contest the Europa League next season.
“We leave you [fans] and ourselves down,” said Egypt international Salah, 30.
Liverpool have won seven of their last eight games in a late push for fourth place but ultimately couldn’t make up for their inconsistent form for much of the season before this run.
United needed just one point at home to Chelsea in the penultimate game of their season to confirm their Champions League place and join champions Manchester City, second-placed Arsenal and Newcastle United as English contingent in Europe’s top competition next season.
“We had everything we needed to qualify for next year’s Champions League and we failed,” said Salah, who was part of the Liverpool squad that won the tournament in 2018-19. and lost last year’s final against Real Madrid.
“We are Liverpool and qualifying for the competition is the bare minimum.
“I’m sorry but it’s too early for an uplifting or optimistic message.”
