Keep cool and enjoy title race, says Klopp
JURGEN KLOPP has urged Liverpool fans to enjoy the ride a title challenge will bring — or follow another sport if the heat gets too much for them.
Liverpool will attempt to complete an unbeaten half-season — and maintain a four-point advantage over Manchester City — when they host Newcastle today.
Winning the title is an obsession for Liverpool supporters and Klopp is aware of the hype that is building now they have poked their noses in front.
City remain favourites to follow up last season’s title triumph but Klopp has faith that his team have the mental strength to cope with what is in front of them. He hopes that calm will be extended to the supporters if the club experience a blip.
‘If you want to have guarantees, go for another sport,’ said Klopp, who is expected to make changes today, including recalling fit-again Trent Alexander-Arnold. ‘If you want to be sure that in May it will be something really special but you don’t want to see the way to that day, then make a holiday.
‘I don’t know where the Premier League is not broadcast but find a little country where it is not and go there. If you want to enjoy the ride and want to try everything you can to be as successful as possible, then welcome, let’s go for it. We have to be focused. We all have to be. Not nervous.
‘I’ve heard how many times in the last 10 years that when you’re first at Christmas you win the title, but only Liverpool won’t — wow, you are afraid to say it because you think I know it. It’s all bull **** stories. What is it? What does it mean? It’s a different team, a different time.
‘Nothing has happened so far, we don’t have to think about May. We have to think about Newcastle. Let’s try everything we have to win that game. There is no pressure. I don’t see the pressure.’
Klopp is able to look at the history of previous failed Anfield title challenges dispassionately and does not see why the shortcomings of older generations should impact on this one.
‘We are in December — nothing has changed,’ said Klopp. ‘We are focused always on the next game. People see City lose 3-2 then I get all these messages saying “Wow! Unbelievable!” and I don’t even feel it. If you are in the job, you know there are still 20 games to play. I’m a sportsman since I was five years old, running races, athletics.
‘If you think after 300 metres “I have him” then you are silly and you will never win. Why should you even think about it? Why should you think that you may win something before you’ve won something?
‘We are not children any more. We have the basis for a good season, nothing else.’
The transfer window opens next week and Klopp is not ruling out the prospect of adding a new face to his squad. He has also made it clear that he will have to think twice about letting those players who are on the periphery, such as Dominic Solanke and Divock Origi, seek loan moves.