Klopp at a low ebb as Chelsea come to town

LONDON: Viewed as Premier League leaders Chelsea’s closest rivals a month ago, Liverpool confront Antonio Conte’s side at Anfield on Tuesday with their season on the brink of total collapse.

Brimming with energy as 2016 drew to a close, Liverpool have looked a spent force in 2017, their only win in eight games arriving in an FA Cup replay at fourth-tier minnows Plymouth Argyle.

Last week brought two cup exits in four days, a League Cup semifinal loss to Southampton followed by embarrassment at the hands of second- tier Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup fourth round.

“We spoke about confidence a few months ago and I said it’s a little flower. If something bounces on it, then it’s away,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“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 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.”

After Liverpool’s 1- 0 win over Manchester City on New Year’s Eve, Klopp suggested it must have been “annoying” for Chelsea to still see his side in their rear-view mirror despite a run of 13 straight wins. — AFP