Klopp’s given up title

a James Maddison free-kick cancelled out Mo Salah’s opener before a dreadful mix-up between keeper Alisson and Ozan Kabak gifted Jamie Vardy a goal.

Liverpool’s defence was all at sea as Harvey Barnes netted a third.

Klopp said: “I don’t think we can close the gap. We are not silly. It’s tough at the moment. For 75 minutes we played really good football. But we weren’t good enough to win because of a couple of things.

“The only way out for us is to play good football – and we are still capable of that. We were the clear dominant side.

“We have to work harder in our situation to create more chances to get more goals.”

HARLEQUINS maintained their push for a Gallagher Premiership play-off spot with a try-laden 37-24 win over Leicester at

The Stoop.

Quins made it three league wins on the bounce but not before Cyle Brink crossed to put the Tigers ahead.

Then came tries from Mike Brown and Marcus Smith (left), plus two Smith penalties to put the hosts 20-7 up.

Jack van Poortvliet replied for Leicester, but

Andre Esterhuizen’s try gave Quins a commanding 30-17 half-time lead.

Louis Lynagh’s score made sure of the bonus point, leaving George Martin’s first senior try as a consolation.

Reigning champions Exeter moved to within one point of leaders Bristol at the top of the table with a comfortable

26-3 victory over London

Irish at a freezing Sandy Park. Sam Simmonds scored two of Exeter’s tries, opening the scoring on three minutes with a closerange effort, to take his tally to 11 for the season.

Alex Cuthbert and Dave Ewers scored the others, with Joe Simmonds converting two and Harvey Skinner one.

A penalty from Paddy Jackson was London Irish’s sole response.

But injury-ravaged Irish battled throughout in a bid to frustrate their opponents.