Klopp seeks end of Liverpool slump, re-boot of title race
LONDON: For the first time since he arrived at Liverpool Jurgen Klopp is in the midst of a crisis to the extent that a win on Tuesday at home to Premier League leaders Chelsea is obligatory.
The 49-year- old charismatic German — who replaced Brendan Rodgers in November 2015 — has seen his side knocked out of two Cup competitions inside a week and a further loss to Chelsea would be the first time since 1923 they have lost four successive games at Anfield and only the second time in their 125-year history.
However victory over Antonio Conte’s side would reduce the gap between them to seven points whilst should Arsenal beat out of form Watford and their north London rivals Spurs beat bottom side Sunderland they would be just five and six points off the leaders respectively.
Klopp, though, accepts some confidence has seeped away from his side with just one win in eight games in January and the freef lowing, eye- catching football they were playing seems a distant memory.
“We spoke about confidence a few months ago and I said it’s a little flower,” said Klopp after his side had been knocked out by second tier Wolves from the FA Cup on Saturday.
“If something bounces on it, then it’s away. Obviously, that happened kind of, but it’s not that we play without confidence.
“I can see a lot of moments when we really still believe in our skills and all that stuff. So we don’t have to make it too big, but it’s not that difficult.
“It’s not that I say there’s no chance until Tuesday to make a real turn.
“Somebody asked me a second
I can see a lot of moments when we really still believe in our skills and all that stuff. So we don’t have to make it too big, but it’s not that difficult.
ago if this is the lowest point of my Liverpool time until now — I don’t know. But if it is, it’s the perfect point to turn because it’s not possible to go lower. That’s all we have to think about now.
“It is a home game against the leader of the league and we need everyone for the game.”
Conte’s side arrive bursting with confidence and having safely navigated their way into the next round of the FA Cup depsite like Klopp making several changes to personnel.
Since they lost consecutive Premier League games to Liverpool and Arsenal in September, they have won 17 of 19 games in all competitions since but perhaps face a pivotal week as regards the title race with Tuesday’s game followed by a home match with Arsenal.
“It ’ s impor tant t o think against Liverpool, to have a good performance and to try to have a good result,” said Conte.
“Then we’ l l think about Arsenal.”
Arsenal will enter their home game with Watford bursting with confidence on the back of a 5- 0 whipping of rivals Southampton in the FA Cup — Watford by contrast were sent packing by third tier Millwall.
Particularly encouraging for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is the return to fitness and form of Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck who scored halt-trick and a double respectively against a limpid Saints outfit. — AFP
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager