The Premier League is as important as the Champions League. If you don't do well in the Premier League, you can't do well in the Champions League.
Unfortunately, to access the cup you have to play well and be among the top of the table, there are no other loopholes
Every league is important for any club, and it's not just the Premier League or the Champions League it's also about how the team achieves good results in the competition. Playing well in their respective leagues doesn't necessarily translate to the same results in the Champions League, as sometimes the opponents they face are much stronger. We can see this like Liverpool last season because even though they played quite well in the League, in a very tight match in the Champions League they lost on penalties to PSG.
Some say Liverpool were unlucky in their defeat to PSG because the result was decided by a penalty shootout. However, there are reasons why players' mentality can improve their chances of winning. Qualifying for the Champions League involves several criteria, besides finishing in first to fifth place in the standings, they can also secure a place in the Champions League as Tottenham did.