Klopp clings to hope as tense finale looms
Jurgen Klopp rated Liverpool’s chances of winning the English Premier League as “not likely but possible” after the understrength quadruple chaser took the title race to the final day of the season with a 2-1 win at Southampton on Tuesday.
After Liverpool defeated Chelsea on penalties in a grueling FA Cup final just three days earlier, Klopp took a gamble with nine changes at St Mary’s.
Despite effectively fielding a reserve team and trailing to Nathan Redmond’s early strike, Liverpool hit back through goals from Takumi Minamino and Joel Matip.
The Reds are just one point behind leader Manchester City, with both teams having one game left.
A title race for the ages will go City’s way if it wins against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Klopp insisted at the weekend that he does not expect City to drop points against Villa.
But Liverpool would be crowned champion for the second time in three seasons if it beats Wolves at Anfield and City fails to win.
“Of course it is unlikely because City plays at home against Aston Villa, who play only on Thursday. It is possible, not likely but possible. That is enough,” Klopp said.
“It is our last home game of the season, the atmosphere will be outstanding, and we will try to use it.
“Of course it could happen. Football is a tricky game sometimes. The only chance we had tonight was to win. We did our job. We never give up.”
Klopp’s Reds will be expected to do their part of the equation against Wolves, especially now their refreshed key players can return to the team.*
Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz, Andrew Robertson, Thiago Alcantara and Trent Alexander-Arnold were among those left out against Southampton, while Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk were sidelined with injuries suffered at Wembley.
“I never had a group like this. They push each other constantly. In the end, it is absolutely outstanding and tonight is really special,” Klopp said.
“We would have had much more problems today if we’d played the guys who played 120 minutes on Saturday.
“If it hadn’t worked out, it would have been 100 per cent my responsibility. Now it worked out and the boys should be really proud of that.”
History bid
City boss Pep Guardiola said he planned to watch the game on television, and if he tuned in, it would have made for frustrating viewing as Southampton squandered the lead.
But it was Riyad Mahrez’s missed penalty in the final minutes of City’s 2-2 draw at West Ham on Sunday which gave Liverpool renewed hope of catching the leader.
And the Reds, hoping to become the first English club to win all four major trophies in one season, will chase history in the last two games of their incredible, marathon campaign.
First, Liverpool will try to avoid a repeat of 2019, when it beat Wolves on the last day but was still pipped to the title by City.
Then it heads to Paris to face Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28.