A FIGHT TO THE FINISH
Klopp geared up for title battle going the distance
JURGEN KLOPP has admitted the title race will “go to the wire” and be tougher to win than last season.
Liverpool are gunning for their 20th top- flight crown to catch up with record- holders Manchester United.
Klopp accepts having reached No19 last summer, the battle for the next will have more ups and downs because all teams are dropping points.
The Reds go to Southampton tonight following draws against Newcastle and West Brom, and only goal difference is keeping them at the top of the Premier League ahead of United.
Klopp said: “I am pretty sure it will go to the wire, probably, but it is tough for all of us which is the reason why it is so close.
“If you are a neutral, you will love it!
“Last season was very tough for us as well and it was not as though we thought, ‘ Oh my god this is easy’. This year is tough again. I am not surprised it is that close.
“Our season is so far so good. Not more. Not less. We try to be ready for each game. Southampton will ask for different things.” Liverpool have had to cope with a series of injuries this term, particularly in central defence with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all affected.
Playmaker Thiago Alcantara turned in a fine cameo on his comeback from a knee problem at St James’ Park and there is pressure for him to start.
However, Klopp said: “He played 20 minutes for us, which is special. He’s had only two sessions with the team and for one of those, he was the joker.
“I am not sure you can count that but the game at Newcastle was the opportunity to do it and it was about creating, which is his best skill.
“We’ll see. He has a chance. I won’t know how he will react.
“The boys who did the job so far did exceptionally well. So it is not that we cannot survive if he does not start the next game but it is very good he is now in contention. I like that a lot.”
England Under- 21 midfielder Curtis Jones continues to impress the Liverpool manager,
and is getting a run in the side because of injuries.
Asked if he could be an option for Gareth Southgate’s England senior squad, Klopp said: “It is a question for Southgate. He has not been with the Under- 21s for long. It is not my decision but we are happy to have him and he has a chance to play in our team.
“In the future he will play for England, I am sure. But this summer, I don’t know.”
Klopp says he will only push to spend money on his injury- hit defence this month if “it makes sense”.
He added: “We have solutions in the squad, but we struggled still with injuries. For most of the time with the centre- half position.
“It is a very difficult transfer window as you can imagine. Not all of the clubs have real money.
“Doing something makes no sense. Doing the right thing makes sense. So far we’ve really liked what we’ve done.”
( probable): Forster; WalkerPeters, Bednarek, Stephens, Bertrand; Armstrong, Ward- Prowse, Romeu, Walcott; Ings, Adams. LIVERPOOL ( probable): Alisson; Alexander- Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.