I cant get the sump clip back on!?

Hi, I've just successfully unclogged my filter in a Hotpoint machine after following all the instructions I've found on here (thank you!) but now I can't get the clip back on (or when i did it the small pipe bit felt really loose and could be pulled off). It's one of those metal ones that you have to bring the two sides together with pliers and it loosens. Is there are way to re tighten it? Help!!