LONDON • The four-point lead Liverpool have at the top of the Premier League even after a 2-1 defeat by rivals Manchester City on Thursday was still impressive given their lack of title-winning experience, according to manager Jurgen Klopp.
The match in Manchester was billed by many as an early title decider, where a Liverpool victory would have given them a 10-point lead at the top with 17 games to go, having played City home and away.
However, goals from Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane, either side of a Roberto Firmino equaliser, ended Liverpool's unbeaten Premier League start and moved City to 50 points and within touching distance of top spot.
"I have so much faith in (my) players you cannot imagine," Klopp said.
"If somebody would have said after both games against Man City that we would have had a four-point lead, I would have paid good money for this, as I thought it was not possible.
"If we would have won the title five times in the last 10 years, then things would be different. We don't have the experience like this. We are still in a very good position so I am happy for this.
"I knew that City could beat us, that is not new. They beat us 5-0 last year. It did not have anything to do with mental strength on one side or the other. It was just unlucky."
Klopp was also unhappy with one decision that did not go his side's way, when City captain Vincent Kompany received only a yellow card for a lunge at Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
"Situations like this happen. A player goes to ground, and he took the risk. If Mo is on his feet, not jumping, then we all know what happen. Mo can go through," he said.
"Kompany saw him, hit him, and you can make your own opinion."
Despite the loss, former Liverpool captains Graeme Souness and Jamie Carragher believe the Merseyside club still have the advantage in the Premier League title race.
"Liverpool are in great shape," Souness told Sky Sports. "Ask both managers what position you'd rather be in right now.
"You're going to take the four points sitting top of the league, especially with the run-in that Liverpool have."
Having played Arsenal and City back-to-back, Liverpool do not play another top-six side until Feb 24 when they travel to Manchester United.
L10Â
January matches Liverpool have lost out of 25 (W8 D7 L10) in all competitions under Jurgen Klopp.
Carragher also echoed Souness' sentiments and alluded to Liverpool's recent form against teams outside the top six.
"The form they have shown, certainly against sides outside the top six, they have got a lot of those games coming," the former defender said.
"Four points clear is still a really good position to be in. Liverpool just need to relax, get some wins under their belt, maybe improve that lead if they can over the next month to six weeks."
Â
But now comes some hard work indeed. When Firmino had scored what Klopp hoped would finish as an equaliser, he had clutched a water bottle like it was the league trophy itself, but now the finish line must seem a long way off.
Liverpool next play Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday.
THE TIMES, LONDON, REUTERS
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini said he was "ashamed" of his team after League One strugglers AFC Wimbledon delivered an FA Cup fourth-round shock to his Hammers in a gripping tie in south-west
Soccer: AFC Wimbledon humble West Ham in FA Cup shock
"At times we played really good football but it can, and it must be, a lot better on Sunday," said Van Dijk. "There were times where we did not put enough pressure on them and were sloppy and lost the ball. "Against Germany we can expect a completely different game and we all realise that. We know what we are capable of."
Soccer: Dutch not favourites against struggling Germany - Van
Football: Guardiola stays cool despite shock Man City defeat
LONDON, April 30 (Reuters) - Ajax Amsterdam's Donny van de Beek grabbed an early goal to secure a precious 1-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on
Champions League: Van de Beek gives Ajax edge over Tottenham
Liverpool Back On Top With Newcastle Win But Lose Salah Liverpool's Premier League title challenge remains alive after Divock Origi scored an 86th-minute winner in a dramatic 3-2 victory at
Liverpool returns to Premier League top as Salah injured
Norwich promoted to EPL after 3-year absence - usatoday.com
LONDON: Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool's Premier League rivals that the leaders are laying the foundations for long-term success. Klopp's side sit four points clear at the top as they chase Liverpool's first English title since 1990.
Liverpool laying groundwork for sustained success, says Klopp
Then I got a brace and was feeling more comfortable as games went on." "We just have to stay focused and do our job on every play." Coach (Mike McCulloch) tells us to mainly work on
Olaroiu tells Al Ahli: Forget past matches and focus on the
Chelsea have struggled to replicate the swashbuckling style that earned Sarri gushing praise in his three seasons at Napoli, while relations between the Italian and a large section of match-going
Maurizio Sarri: I can avoid being sacked by Chelsea : The
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud said he has been approached by other clubs to play for them next season but wants to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge if manager Maurizio Sarri can offer regular
Giroud demands important role at Chelsea FC next season
Football: Arsene Wenger hails Leeds' Marcelo Bielsa for
Jurgen Klopp's stunning transfer record as Liverpool manager is enough to placate fans that are desperate to see the side improve. While Brendan Rodgers was top boss at Anfield, the Northern Irishman was hamstrung by the club's infamous transfer committee which signed Mario Balotelli and Christian Benteke as Luis Suarez replacements.
Jürgen Klopp - Wikipedia
Jose Mourinho has rejected managerial offer from an old club and has no plans to return to Portugal at the moment. Jose Mourinho rejects first managerial offer since Manchester United sacking
Jose Mourinho aims transfer dig at Man Utd board and reveals
Speed is key for Socceroos - straitstimes.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment