Klopp discusses Liverpool’s title hopes; refuses to assess rivals

Jurgen Klopp: Discusses Liverpool approach

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp intends to stay calm about the growing pressure at the top of the table as he is confident his side are destined to make further improvements.

Since the Reds beat Manchester City on New Year’s Eve they have taken two points from a possible six with Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United following a 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

That has allowed leaders Chelsea to open up a seven-point gap and has also seen in-form Tottenham move into second place, albeit only on goal difference.

There is also pressure from below with Arsenal a point behind and United, in sixth, five back.

However, Klopp, boosted by the return to fitness of playmaker Philippe Coutinho, retains belief his team will pick up the pace again – especially when Sadio Mane returns from the African Nations Cup – despite a busy January which sees them travel to Plymouth on Wednesday for an FA Cup replay and also face Southampton next week in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final.

“We cannot look at it. I think we are in the region of the table where we have to be,” he said when asked about his side’s title chances.

“In this moment, maybe for us it’s a little bit more difficult to play our best because not everybody is available but everybody could see we will fight for it 100 per cent.

“There will be a moment when we are the better side – when everybody is back, in shape, healthy, fit and then we will see how the base is then.

“The performance (at Old Trafford) was absolutely more than okay.

“It is not usual that a team did like my team did it in this situation after the game in midweek (losing the first leg 1-0 at Southampton).

“I am fine with it and now we have to carry on.”