Reds win crucial to title rivals

JURGEN KLOPP is ready to “make the title race more exciting” by halting leaders Chelsea in their tracks.

And the Liverpool manager explained that belief is the key to lifting a team that has seen their quest for honours seriously undermined by three Anfield defeats in the last week.

The German coach knows that, even if his side do defeat the Premier League table-toppers, it may not deliver the title. But he believes it could open up the race to other sides, such as Arsenal and Tottenham.

Victory tonight will narrow the gap at the top, and he said: “If we are seven points behind Chelsea, we cannot say now we go for them. They might win the rest of the games!

“If they are seven ahead of us, then it could be five to Arsenal or whoever. That gap would obviously make the league that little bit more exciting for a lot of people.

“But we need the points, that’s it. We cannot waste time or points any more.”

Despite seeing his side crash out of two cups in a week, Klopp insisted he retains belief in his side.

Liverpool have won just once in January but, in the season he left Borussia Dortmund, they won just once in December AND January, but went on to win every match in February.

Klopp, for whom Sadio Mane could return tonight, added: “What is important, if you are convinced about your players, is to stay cool and things will change.

“It’s about seeing it, working on it and getting better, because you have to use the bad moments to prepare for the good ones. Even when you have too many bad moments.

“I 100 per cent believe it makes you more of a winner if you are looking forward to winning and not worrying about losing.”

THE MANE MAN Liverpool hope Sadio Mane can return DEC 31 Wijnaldum celebrates the goal that gave Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Manchester City at Anfield JAN 28 Moreno and Coutinho trudge off after being humbled 2-1 at home by Wolves on Saturday to go...