KLOPP IS WALKING A TIGHTROPE
He admits one loss of balance could send title hopes tumbling
THE final six games of the season for Liverpool are not so much a run-in but a walk along a tightrope. Such are the high stakes involved — and the relentless consistency of the team they are chasing — one false step, one loss of balance and many anticipate the dream of becoming champions for the first time since 1990 will come crashing down.
In normal circumstances, a trip to Southampton would be viewed as straightforward. Liverpool have lost only one of their last 10 league meetings but the final few weeks of the season have a habit of throwing up results you would not expect.
So under the lights at St Mary’s, with a pumped-up crowd demanding Ralph Hassenhutl’s side get the win that would put them a step closer to safety, you can understand why many feel this will be the moment Liverpool blink and Manchester City will be a little closer to the Quadruple.
‘If I was watching from outside, I would probably say the same,’ said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, when asked what he thought about his great rivals completing a clean sweep. ‘That’s how it is. You would think it looks like City can win all four and I think the same.’
This might have been an answer laced with realism and respect but it was no concession. Absolutely not. City may be competing on all fronts but it has barely been mentioned that Liverpool have a chance to do the double of League title and European Cup that they managed in 1977 and 1984.
Klopp was not in a hurry to encourage that side of the discussion — his focus is solely on
Southampton — but he made an observation about City that showed they, too, are walking the tightrope. They might be outstanding but their position is just as fraught.
‘If you’re with us you would probably think we can win the double, if you’re not with us then you probably don’t think it at all,’ said Klopp, whose team face Porto in the Champions League quarter-final.
‘But I am not interested what people think, especially those who aren’t with us.
‘I don’t feel underestimated or whatever. I don’t care. I’ve said it a couple of times — City, in the moment, look like the best team in the world. That’s how it is. Barcelona struggled a little bit on Tuesday but still did the job.
‘Juventus look pretty impressive in Italy but you don’t exactly know how it will be in the Champions League if Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be fit. With City, those are the three big Champions League favourites. You think, “OK, City looks a bit more stable than all of them” but that doesn’t mean they will win all their games. I can imagine people think that, but it doesn’t make it more likely. I don’t care. I don’t bet. I’m not interested in odds. I’m just interested in our games and we cannot do more than win our games. We will try to win them all.
‘ We were really happy after Sunday, really happy. But we knew pretty quickly that Southampton was the next challenge. Then it is Porto, then it is Chelsea, then it is Porto again. There is a lot to come. The only thing I can say is that we will try everything to be ready for the fight.’
Liverpool have shown that capacity frequently this season. Since drawing with Everton on March 3, they have rattled out consecutive Premier League wins against Burnley, Fulham and Tottenham and a fourth triumph tonight will put them back on top until Sunday week at least.
It was the manner of the victory against Tottenham, though, which has galvanised them and Klopp has seen a spring in his squad’s step in recent days, leading him to feel they are primed to go to the final kick — and none more than Mohamed Salah.
He has not scored in the Premier League since February 9 but Klopp is not concerned in the slightest and feels the Egyptian, who scored a picture book goal at St Mary’s last season, is ready to take on the challenge.
‘It’s very good for us of course if he scores now,’ said Klopp. ‘Everybody asks for perfection but we have to use our set-up to our advantage and use the full backs. That is normal. The midfielders have slightly different jobs to do and the strikers as well. This is clear.
‘The general outcome is important and we have 79 points. We have different situations in the season and setting up goals is just as important. It might not be as exciting in the stats or whatever but Salah has scored 17 goals and seven assists.
‘That’s impressive, actually. A good number. Now let’s carry on.’