Klopp happy with Liverpool run but says title talk futile
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists no one can feel safe in the Premier League title race – even with a four-point lead. Klopp’s unbeaten side top the table with Manchester City in second and Tottenham Hotspur six points off the pace in third.
But the German knows nothing can be taken for granted, especially after watching Spurs’ 6-2 demolition of Everton on Sunday.
“You [the media] make these stories about who is in and who is out,” said Klopp yesterday. “I saw the game against Everton who played absolutely more than OK and then they [Spurs] hit pretty much everything and it was really impressive how Tottenham did.”
Klopp added that he also felt Chelsea and Arsenal, fourth and fifth, who are both 11 points off Liverpool’s tally of 48 points, are still very much title contenders in his mind.
“The same will happen to Arsenal and Chelsea,” he added. “No decision is made, why should it be? Nobody should feel safe, no one should feel out of the race. It is not a time to think about it.
“For me Tottenham were never out so why should people be surprised they are now in? A lot of teams are in whatever you call the title race and that is how it should be.
“That is maybe only the difference to last year when pretty much nobody was in any more at this time and that is good for all supporters out there.
“Being unbeaten in the league until December is not something I had too often in my life. We did really well so far, and we have to do even better. That’s the challenge for us.”
In the previous 10 years only twice has the team top on December 25 not gone on to win the title. On both occasions it was Liverpool, in 2008 and 2014. Of his current squad only James Milner has experience of winning a title, with Manchester City in 2012 and 2014, but Klopp believes his players have displayed the sort of character needed to remain in the race.
“I know that all players who have won the title at one time it was their first time,” said Klopp, who won the Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund in 2011 and 2012.
“You don’t know what is more important, is it experience, potential, attitude, desire or joy, being completely fresh having never had it before?
“You absolutely don’t know and it’s not important.
“Experience is always good if you are young enough to use it. We have to use all experience from the last games, especially from the last season.”
Klopp confirmed defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in training after a foot injury.