We’d settle for fewer points to bag title says Anfield boss

JURGEN KLOPP believes Liverpool won’t have to improve on their 97-point tally from last season to end their wait for a league title.

The Kop boss reckons there will be more than his side and champions Manchester City tussling for the Premier League crown – meaning the winning points total may be LOWER.

Pep Guardiola’s City pipped Liverpool to the title by a single point after the Reds only lost once in the entire 38-game campaign.

The champions have strengthened, as have Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester United.

And Klopp believes that should mean City and Liverpool – who have not won the league since 1990 – will face tougher tests this season, as he prepares for their opener at home to Norwich tonight.

“For me, it looks like this season will be different to last season because there was a big gap between the other teams and us and City,” said the German.

“Chelsea changed their manager and will change their structure completely and there is always a chance for them.

“If you look at the team, yes they have had a transfer ban, but they have a really good team.

“Opposition who have to play us have players that you think, ‘Wow.’

“United have been pretty busy market, they want to change a lot.

“Arsenal ambitious, City again, and Tottenham – I don’t know what exactly will happen – but they were strong and they will be strong.

“It looks like we will all be closer to each other than last season. If that is the case, then you cannot get 97 or 98 points.

“A season has a story and there are different chapters but without a first word, then, you cannot start. We start our story and in this moment in the transfer there is no reason why wonderful story.”

Klopp has not added any new first-team stars to his squad this season, which raises the need for his current players to improve.

But with the best defensive record last season and Mo Salah and Sadio Mane finishing joint top scorers in the Premier League, while the team went on to win the Champions League, Klopp was asked how can this team improve?

He added: “It’s very important you don’t compare seasons.

“In other sports, say you’re the Olympic 100m winner in 9.76, then four years later you are again in the final. You don’t want to be better than four years before, you only want to win the race.

“You don’t have to win the race in 9.65, you just have to win the race. That’s what we are trying to do.

“We have to be as good as possible, and that has nothing to do with last year.” it should not really be a