Complacency will not kill Klopp’s men in title charge
EVEN in the aftermath of an astonishing demolition of Leicester City, Liverpool’s closest Premier League title challengers, Jurgen Klopp refused to get remotely comfortable.
“We play Wolves, Sheffield United, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester United in the next five games,” the manager reminded following a sublime 4-0 victory at King Power Stadium that stretched his side’s lead at the summit to 13 points.
“That doesn’t sound like anything is decided in my ears, to be honest. We have to play all of them and we try with all we have to make sure we are ready.
“The number — 10, 11, 13, whatever — is absolutely not relevant to us. We actually don’t feel it, we don’t think about it, not at all.” The ease in which the leaders dissolved Leicester’s threat and dissected them on Thursday night understandably led to conclusions about the destination of the league title.
It’s not so much about how far Liverpool are in front, but the incessant drive that has got them there.
They have dropped two points all season at Manchester United. They have lost just one top-flight game in the last 57 and are unbeaten in 35.
Only last month, Klopp was fielding questions about Liverpool’s lack of clean sheets as any flaw was seized upon to size up the stuff they were made of.
The Merseysiders have played seven games this month, excluding the League Cup hammering at Aston Villa with an academy squad in unconventional circumstances, conceding just three goals and producing five shutouts.
They now have the best defensive record in the top-flight — as they did last season — despite being without the injured Fabinho, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.
Joe Gomez was excellent alongside Virgil van Dijk in voiding the expertise of Jamie Vardy, while Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold supplied more evidence as to why they are the standout fullback pairing in the world football at the moment. The latter was irrepressible at Leicester, with two assists and a goal leaving Brendan Rodgers to conclude “he plays the position like a midfielder.”
The Northern Irishman, who was succeeded at Anfield by Klopp, gave Alexander-Arnold his introductory dose of senior football during a pre-season friendly against Swindon in August 2015.
“His range of passing is phenomenal,” Rodgers (above) added. “His quality and the experience he has gained playing consistently at a high level has seen him be absolutely amazing under Jurgen.” The right-back has registered a league-high 20 assists since start of last season and while he’ll colonise the headlines, Robertson was immense on the other flank.
Scotland’s captain made four tackles, five clearances, two interceptions and 14 possession gains — Liverpool’s highest tally in each on the night.
There were gargantuan contributions from the midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Naby Keita too.
“We played really good football, especially after all the travelling we’ve done and the intense period we’ve had,” Alexander-Arnold said, referencing the exertions in Qatar during their triumphant Club World Cup campaign. “You put all that into account, then yes, it probably is our best performance of the season. We controlled the game for most parts, they never really had too many clear-cut chances.
“We’re happy with the clean sheet and to get four goals at a place like this is something to be proud of.”
Premier League fixtures: Today (3pm unless stated): Brighton v Bournemouth (12.30pm), Newcastle United v Everton, Southampton v Crystal Palace, Watford v Aston Villa, Norwich City v Tottenham (5.30pm), West Ham v Leicester City (5.30pm), Burnley v Manchester United (7.45pm).
Tomorrow: Arsenal v Chelsea (2pm), Liverpool v Wolves (4.30pm), Manchester City v Sheffield United (6pm).