Klopp tells Liverpool side to ignore EPL favourites' tag
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he doesn’t care that his side are now considered favourites to win the Premier League.
Sunday’s win over Brighton, combined with Manchester City and Arsenal’s goalless draw, elevated the Reds back to the top of the table with nine matches to go.
But Klopp is well aware, with a round of midweek fixtures followed closely by games at the weekend, the situation can change in an instant.
“It is nothing we are obviously aware of. The situation is, for us, Sheffield United, and not who is the favourite,” he said ahead of this morning’s home game against the rockbottom Blades.
“I am pretty sure when we lost at Arsenal (on February 4) we were not favourites after that — maybe rightly so — but I don’t know and I don’t care.
“One of the most important things to get through this period is to ignore the outside ‘mess’ as it goes up and down and is emotional.
“We have to be professional — be emotional but in the right way — and be the best version of ourselves, play the best football we can play and then let’s see what the outcome is.
Liverpool are the last of the title chasers to play, with City and Arsenal’s matches yesterday, but Klopp said he would not be tuning in to see how their rivals got on.
“I didn’t even know they played (yesterdayt),” he added. “I expect them always to win.
“I told you one story, years ago, I watched a game and wanted Leicester to win (against Manchester City in 2019) and it didn’t happen.
“That was the last time that I did that.
“That’s when you learn from the past. When they play, my heart-rate doesn’t go up.”
If Liverpool are favourites for the title they are even shorter odds to dispatch a Blades team who have conceded 77 goals in 29 matches and have a goal difference of minus 50 after managing just three wins — including just one away from home — all season.
It looks like an easy task against a team who have not kept a clean sheet in four months, with Monday’s visit to Old Trafford — where only three weeks ago Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup — the bigger hurdle.
But Klopp warned: “If I would think now about Manchester United, our fans would have a right to think I am already too long in the chair,” he said.
“It has nothing to do with the Manchester United game, Sheffield United deserve our full respect and they will get it.” — AAP