ONE DOR CLOSES.. ANOTHER OPENS
Klopp reckons giving up on title race can leave way clear for tilt at Champions League.. just like his Dortmund side in 2013
JURGEN KLOPP is targeting Champions League glory for Liverpool.
He has given up hope of reeling in Manchester City for the Premier League title but believes his side have a real chance of conquering Europe.
The German boss reckons he has the firepower to make a real impact, and a kind last-16 draw against Porto certainly helps his cause.
The FA Cup also offers the chance for salvation, with Everton their round-three opponents next month.
Klopp harked back to 2013 when his Dortmund side went so close to beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League final (right) despite finishing 25 points behind them in the Bundesliga.
Liverpool start the weekend fifth in the Premier League, trailing City by 18 points, and Klopp conceded: “We cannot chase City, just like we couldn’t chase Bayern that season, but we could have beaten them in the Champions League final – that’s 100 per cent.
“It was an open game and nobody saw in that game a team 25 points ahead. We got to the Champions League final and had some of our best moments of our life in that campaign.”
Klopp accepted the title race was over 10 days ago, even before his side dropped four valuable points in two listless Anfield draws, against Everton and West Brom.
That explains why he picked his strongest side possible for a winnertakes-all Champions League shootout with Spartak Moscow, and then made significant changes against neighbours Everton.
Klopp pulled no punches as he said: “This season nobody is really fighting for the title any longer I don’t think Manchester United are.
“We will all try to finish as close as possible but if City don’t stumble badly they will probably win it...but that does not mean the rest of us have to give up. “To be the best of the rest could be a fantastic target. So we must try to finish in the best position we can.” Klopp believes the race for second spot is wide open, even though Manchester United have a threepoint advantage over the rest. “Yes United are ahead of us as well at the moment but our performances show we can catch them. That’s what we are thinking about,” he said. “Anything else would only disturb us. I can’t imagine why we would think about things that would disturb our development.” Klopp has injury worries before tomorrow’s visit to Bournemouth – the scene of perhaps his worst moment so far as Liverpool boss when the Reds threw away a 3-1 lead there last season to lose 4-3. James Milner, Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez have knocks, while Joel Matip, Alberto Moreno and Daniel Sturridge are still out, but Adam Lallana finally returns.