Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Manchester City could not have won the Premier League this season if they had to deal with their team's injury crisis.
Influential center backs Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez missed most of the season with knee injuries.
A large part of the campaign was missed by assistant defenders Joel Matip, midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson and new signer Diego Jota.
“We didn’t have a year to be champions with injuries,” Klopp said.
"There is no chance - not for anyone.
"As good as they are, if City go out of their three center-halfs, [they won't win the league]. [Manchester] United's three center-halfs, no.
"We fought a bit, accepted the odds and did our best, and if we win on Sunday, and if we qualify for the Champions League, we make the best of it."
Despite being at the top of the table at Christmas, the impact of the injury eventually fell on Klopp's side
However, they have fallen behind, with seven wins in nine games, meaning they will have to qualify for the Champions League if they can win their final at Crystal Palace at home on Sunday.
During last season’s title-winning campaign, Klopp often praised his players as “mentality monsters”.
"It's clear that we wouldn't be in this situation if the boys didn't show this kind of character. They have a very special character," he added.
“Guys have proven it millions of times, it’s not about their mentality or character when something goes wrong.
"Going through difficult times makes you stronger as a unit and at that time we were not scattered. Nothing came between us.
“Yes we had our moments, the players weren’t in the best shape or in the best mood I wasn’t in the best mood, but we always find a way to stay together.
"We never blamed each other or pointed fingers at each other and said, 'It's because of you or you.'
So no matter what happens on Sunday, we have found our way to bring ourselves into this situation. "
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