Unstoppable

Klopp revels in ‘insane’ 25-point lead as Liverpool edge past Norwich

JURGEN KLOPP described his team’s 25-point lead at the top of the Premier League as “insane” after Sadio Mane struck to give Liverpool a 1-0 win at storm-hit Norwich yesterday.

The champions-elect were short of their fluent best in blustery conditions caused by Storm Dennis at Carrow Road but returned immediately to winning ways

after their winter break.

They have now gone 43 topflight matches unbeaten, just six behind Arsenal’s record of 49 games in 2003-04 and are sprinting towards their first league title for 30 years.

Liverpool have earned 103 points from the past 105 available to them in the Premier League, winning 34 of their past 35 matches, and have one more point – 76 – than Manchester United accrued in winning the League in 1996/97.

Klopp said the wind and Norwich’s organisation made it a tricky game but that his players remained calm.

“I could tell in all the players’ faces that they weren’t nervous, they were enjoying it, and if one team was going to score it was going to be us,” he told Sky Sports.

“We protected against the counter-attack well too. It’s really all about these wonderful football players.

“The gap is so insane, I don’t really understand it. I’m not smart enough. I’ve not had that before. It’s outstanding, it’s so difficult.

“I go back into the changing room and we chat about the things and then I’m like ‘oh, but congratulations. We won the game, another three points.’”

When the marauding Trent Alexander-Arnold dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box after just 13 seconds, a routine win looked to be on the cards, but the Reds had to battle hard once more.

But Senegal international Mane – who missed the last two games through a hamstring injury – proved to be the difference having entered the action on the hour mark.

Klopp added: “I could tell in all the players’ faces that they weren’t nervous, they were enjoying it, and if one team was going to score it was going to be us.

“We protected against the counter-attack well too. It’s really all about these wonderful football players.”

Daniel Farke’s side remain anchored to the foot of the table, seven points from safety and are staring at an immediate return to the Championship.

“Performance-wise we were pretty good in many topics, sadly one topic was missing, to be clinical in our finishing. We had our chance in the first half,” Farke told – AFP