Liverpool have no time to fret over their chastening Champions League defeat at the hands of Barcelona as they scramble to prevent their season from fizzling out without any silverware to show for it.
After the hammer blow of two late Lionel Messi goals at the Camp Nou, which gave Barcelona a 3-0 win in the first leg of the semi-final, Jurgen Klopp's men must raise themselves for the challenge of Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.
Despite already posting a club record points tally of 91 with two games remaining, a Liverpool defeat would give Manchester City the chance to retain the title at home to Leicester on Monday.
"They don't have to think about the next game against Barcelona, now we play Newcastle," said Klopp after Wednesday's defeat in Spain.
"That's all our focus. We go to the hotel, have a proper sleep, get up in the morning, fly home and then prepare for Newcastle.
"Whatever happens, these boys, I couldn't be more proud of them."
There was plenty for Klopp to be proud about in Catalonia despite a first defeat in 20 games.
Liverpool had more possession and shots on goal as they pressed and penned the Spanish champions back, particularly after Luis Suarez had come back to haunt his former club with the opening goal in the 26th minute.
"I can work really well with this game. I will use this game to show the boys what is possible," added Klopp.
"It was brave performance that was very passionate, very lively and in a lot of moments creative and direct.
"There will be a moment when I can convince the boys again how important this game was for us for our development because I really think it was the best away game we played in the Champions League. That's a very important message for us, not for the world outside."
However, while Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah missed huge chances, the magic of Messi swung the tie heavily in Barca's favour.
If Messi's first goal 15 minutes from time was opportunistic, his second was out of this world.
The Argentine's 600th goal for Barcelona was fired into the top corner with unerring accuracy from a long-range free-kick.
"In these moments he's unstoppable," admitted Klopp.
A second leg at fortress Anfield is still to come, but ending a 29-year wait to win the Premier League was always Liverpool's primary target for the season.
Now into his fourth season in charge, Klopp has still to win a trophy with Liverpool.
But if his maturing side were denied by individual brilliance in Barcelona, it is the collective class of City, led by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola, that looks likely to deny them a much-desired title.
For the seventh game in a row, Liverpool would go back on top with a victory over Newcastle, led by their former manager Rafael Benitez.
However, with City on a 12-game Premier League winning run, Liverpool still need the champions to slip up either at home to Leicester or away at Brighton on the final day of the season to stand a chance of winning the title.
"I think mentally, we shouldn't be affected," said Liverpool defender and Professional Footballers' Association player of the year Virgil van Dijk.
"I won't be. It was a tough game but we have a big game at the weekend and we are still in the race. We want the same performance without conceding the goals."
Jurgen Klopp admitted Lionel Messi was "unstoppable" on Wednesday after he left Liverpool needing a miracle to reach the Champions League final.
Luis Suarez poked in against his former club before Messi hit a late double, the second a stunning free-kick for his 600th Barca goal, as his team took a 3-0 lead from a pulsating semi-final first leg ahead of next week's return at Anfield.
"He's unstoppable," said Klopp afterwards. "Obviously we couldn't defend the free-kick. What a strike. He's a world-class player but I knew that already. It's no surprise."
Klopp could only smile after Messi's curling shot nestled in the top corner but this result was harsh on his side.
They matched Barcelona in the first half, dominated them early in the second and could still have left with an away goal after Messi's brilliant brace, only for Mohamed Salah to hit the post.
"I said to the boys I was proud of how we played against a side like this," Klopp said. "If you lose away it's not a massive problem as long as you score a goal. That's our problem tonight - it doesn't make our life any easier."
Messi and Suarez did what they have done all season, their tallies now at 47 and 27 goals respectively in all competitions.
It had been a breathtaking contest befitting two of Europe's most exhilarating teams. The first half was electric, a reel of chances, breaks and blocks, while the second was tense, a tactical battle where Barca dared Liverpool to over-exert.
The comeback will be even tougher for them given Barcelona, with La Liga wrapped up, will surely rest a host of players against Celta Vigo this weekend while Liverpool, a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, will have to be at full throttle again away at Newcastle on Saturday.
"They can still make us suffer," said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde. "The result is good but the tie is open."
Messi was already fresh, after playing just over half the La Liga minutes he could have done in April, and he looked sharp early on, weaving through the centre while for Liverpool, the sensational Sadio Mane raced down the left.
The attacks were scintillating but the defending was good too. Andy Robertson scrambled across to block Messi's finish from six yards and moments later it was Sergi Roberto on the slide, preventing Mane from sprinting clear.
Messi wanted a penalty when the ball jumped up on Joel Matip and Naby Keita went off injured in the 25th minute, replaced by Jordan Henderson.
A minute later came the goal. Arturo Vidal sprayed the ball left to Philippe Coutinho, who cushioned back for Jordi Alba. Alba shaped to cross but instead curved a perfectly weighted pass to the near post, where Suarez nipped in.
Liverpool came again. Mane scampered in behind then flicked the ball round Sergio Busquets. He should have scored too, Henderson's cross finding him free from eight yards but the shot flew over.
Barca took control just as Suarez began to lose it, irked by James Milner barging Messi into the sideboards after the Argentinian had danced past Robertson.
But Liverpool were re-energised at the start of the second half. Marc-Andre ter Stegen pushed away shots from Milner and Salah, and held a Milner drive.
Then Messi intervened, striking twice in seven minutes. His own run started the first, setting Sergi free to square to Suarez. Off balance, Suarez could only knee the ball against the crossbar but it came back for Messi, who chested and finished into an open net.
Two was tough on Liverpool but Messi was not done. The free-kick was central, 30 yards out. He whipped it over the wall and into the top corner.
Barca were delirious but Liverpool almost grabbed an away goal when a clearance on the line fell kindly for Salah, who hammered against the post. It could have been a lifeline. Liverpool are on the brink.
Liverpool vs Barcelona head to head
Liverpool vs Barcelona 2019
Liverpool vs Barcelona 2019
Liverpool vs Barcelona history
Liverpool vs Barcelona
Liverpool vs Barcelona full match
Liverpool vs Barcelona
Liverpool vs Barcelona live
Liverpool vs Barcelona match1
Liverpool vs Barcelona youtube
Liverpool vs Barcelona score
Liverpool vs Barcelona
Liverpool vs Barcelona live
Liverpool vs Barcelona live stream
Liverpool vs Barcelona live streaming
watch Liverpool vs Barcelona
Liverpool vs Barcelona live
Liverpool vs Barcelona 2019
Liverpool vs Barcelona watch online
Barcelona vs Liverpool head to head
Barcelona vs Liverpool 2019
Barcelona vs Liverpool 2019
Barcelona vs Liverpool history
Barcelona vs Liverpool
Barcelona vs Liverpool full match
Barcelona vs Liverpool
Barcelona vs Liverpool live
Barcelona vs Liverpool match1
Barcelona vs Liverpool youtube
Barcelona vs Liverpool score
Barcelona vs Liverpool
Barcelona vs Liverpool live
Barcelona vs Liverpool live stream
Barcelona vs Liverpool live streaming
watch Barcelona vs Liverpool
Barcelona vs Liverpool live
Barcelona vs Liverpool 2019
Barcelona vs Liverpool watch online
Liverpool vs Barcelona head to head
Liverpool vs Barcelona 2019
Liverpool vs Barcelona 2019
Liverpool vs Barcelona history
Liverpool vs Barcelona
Liverpool vs Barcelona full match
Liverpool vs Barcelona
Liverpool vs Barcelona live
Liverpool vs Barcelona match1
Liverpool vs Barcelona youtube
Liverpool vs Barcelona score
Liverpool vs Barcelona
Liverpool vs Barcelona live
Liverpool vs Barcelona live stream
Liverpool vs Barcelona live streaming
watch Liverpool vs Barcelona
Liverpool vs Barcelona live
