We’re all playing for second place now, says Klopp
JURGEN KLOPP has claimed Manchester City’s rivals have stopped fighting for the title and the challenge facing his side is to finish best of the rest. The record-breaking winning spree that has carried Pep Guardiola’s squad clear at the top of the table means the only question being asked is when, rather than if, City become champions. Klopp had hoped Liverpool would be significantly closer to City going into the festive season but it is unrealistic to think they will claw back 18 points on the leaders, given their rampant form. ‘This season nobody is really fighting any more for the title,’ said Klopp, who recognises his side have lost ground with draws against Everton and West Brom. ‘I don’t think United are. We will all try to come as close as possible but if City don’t have any drop then they will probably win it so does that mean all the others have to stop? To be the best of the rest could be a fantastic target. So it is to try to have the best position in the table, which for us is third or second. ‘Yes, they are ahead of us in the moment but our performances show we could do it if we bring them often enough. ‘We know we could have won the last game but we didn’t. Teams ahead of us won games like this. ‘I cannot make the biggest difference about drawing twice even when I don’t like the result. We played really well against Everton but got the wrong result. Against West Brom, we didn’t deserve any luck.’ Liverpool would have beaten Everton had Sadio Mane chosen to square a ball in the minutes before half-time but his decision to try and secure a 2-0 lead by shooting failed to pay off and Klopp is concerned the Senegal striker is suffering a hangover from the Merseyside derby. Mane was out of sorts against West Brom and Klopp did not try to excuse