SO TWO EX-KOP BOSSES COULD HOLD KLOPP’S TITLE FATE IN THEIR HANDS..
improve. That’s the only thing we can do – keep believing and keep working hard for each other and stay positive. There is no reason to panic.
“It will be really tough. Newcastle is a big job. But we’ve shown throughout the season we never give up. We need everyone to be together. Let’s see how it goes.”
Newcastle now becomes a pivotal game for Klopp’s
PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE P W D L F A 36 30 2 4 90 22 36 28 7 1 84 20 36 23 1 12 65 36 36 20 8 8 60 39 36 20 6 10 69 49 36 19 8 9 64 51 36 15 9 12 46 44 36 15 6 15 51 47 36 14 8 14 50 44 36 14 8 14 51 52 36 13 7 16 45 54 36 12 7 17 43 48 36 11 9 16 36 45 36 12 6 18 52 65 36 11 7 18 44 63 36 9 11 16 44 61 36 9 8 19 33 55 36 9 4 23 30 66 36 7 5 24 34 76 36 3 5 28 20 74 Man City Liverpool Tottenham Chelsea Arsenal Man Utd Wolves Leicester Everton Watford West Ham Crystal Palace Newcastle Bournemouth Burnley Southampton Brighton Cardiff Fulham (R) Hudd’field (R) Pts 92 91 70 68 66 65 54 51 50 50 46 43 42 42 40 38 35 31 26 14 side. Realistically, Leicester getting a result at the Etihad on Monday is far more likely than Liverpool winning at least 3-0 against Barca the night after. But that would be academic if the Reds do not beat Toon.
And given how devastating the Barca defeat was, 48 hours to recover and prepare mentally for what now becomes the biggest game of these players’ lives does not seem long enough. The message, though, was surprisingly defiant. It is one thing saying it of course, another doing it.
How not to feel sorry and mope when you play so well against Barca and are still destroyed. That can only induce doubt. It requires experienced heads, and at least they have that with the likes of James Milner.
For him, it is now about drawing on everything they have learned in such an emotional, thrilling season.
“It’s tough, we know that, but we’re used to playing games in quick succession and we’ve seen the character in this squad on more than one occasion over the last few years,” said Milner.
“It’s about bouncing back quickly from this with a big game at the weekend, get a good result there and get a bit of positivity going into next week.
“We all know the character is there, so we need to be together and bounce back from that.
“I have no doubt this team will do that.” BRENDAN RODGERS
Leicester manager (Liverpool 2012-15)
LEICESTER travel to Manchester City on Monday and Rodgers does not rule out his side doing Liverpool a favour. He says: “We respect that it will be a tough game for us. But we have a game and a model that can beat any team.
“You have to be very positive – you can’t be fearful. You need to defend well. Be strong, be aggressive, be concentrated. “Their positioning is exceptional and you have to concentrate. You need that bit of luck, you have to be a constant in the game and look to play out of pressure.
“The important thing is to ensure you defend well and that you’re aggressive and then exploit the space they will leave. This a team that can do that. I’m excited by the game – it’s a fantastic challenge.” RAFA BENITEZ
Newcastle manager (Liverpool 20042010)
NEWCASTLE entertain Liverpool tomorrow evening and Benitez has warned his former club that his players won’t be taking it easy. “We will do what we have done the whole season and that’s try to win the game,” said the Spaniard.
“We play at home in front of our own fans and we will try to do our best. We will be professionals and if we can win... “Liverpool are a little bit different to Man City, but they control games, they’re physically very strong, they have the pace and the ability and quality to play one vs one or use long passes – whatever they want to do, they can do – because they’re a very good team.
“The only thing you can do is give everything and make sure you’re organised. If you have a few chances, you have to try to take them.”