KLOPP’S CHELSEA POWER SHOW
Lampard’s Blues stars are my ‘title favourites’
The Liverpool boss led the Reds to their first title in 30 years last season and they are in with the early pack of pacesetters this time despite suffering a catalogue of injuries.
Liverpool have also already won at Stamford Bridge, beating Frank Lampard’s side 2-0 in September.
But Klopp reckons that current form puts the Blues in pole position to be champions.
Klopp said: “If I watch football games at the moment then Chelsea, for me, look like favourites.
“They have the biggest squad, great players playing well together after a rusty start - and they are full on.
“They have unbelievable opportunities to change in games and make changes from one game to the other – so that is it.
“I don’t feel we are chasing anyone at the moment – or that anyone is chasing us.
“Pressure is there for us but it’s about how much you think about that pressure, to be honest.” Liverpool face Wolves today,
with 2,000 fans set to be welcomed back into Anfield following the easing of coronavirus restrictions on Merseyside.
Klopp does not believe that the return of supporters for some clubs will give them any real advantage.
He will continue to lobby the Premier League for managers to be allowed to use five substitutes again this season.
Klopp claims that other countries do not understand why England is the only nation to
Kelleher; Alexander-
Matip, Arnold,
Fabinho, Robertson; Jones, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah,
Firmino, Mane
WOLVES
Patricio; Semedo,
Coady, Boly,
Saiss, Marcal; Dendoncker, Neves;
Traore, Podence, Neto
return to three substitutes as players struggle to cope with the demanding schedule created by the coronavirus crisis.
Liverpool’s casualty list illustrates the problems he is facing.
But the Kop boss fears that players won’t just be struggling mentally.
He has been keeping a close watch on his squad to gauge how they are coping with the restrictions that remain to fight the pandemic.
Klopp said: “It is 100 per cent clear that the whole situation is a challenge. The boys are always under pressure.
“I know they are well paid, but they are still human beings and they have to go home and stay there until they go for the next training session.
“The boys get tested for Covid-19 twice a week, but their kids still go to school and that makes it even more tricky for them. It makes things intense all of the time – that’s all about mental health.
“It’s a problem I have to monitor. My door is open as much as is possible and we have lots of talks.
“You look in their eyes and you hope they tell you when something is not going the right way – but there is no guarantee.
“That’s why I want five subs. It is clear we need to do it. It isn’t about just helping my team. It’s for all of the teams.
“If you ask any guys from the other leagues – and it’s not just Germany – they cannot understand why we don’t do it.
“It is not the solution, but it’s part of a solution and if something can help the players slightly then I think we should go for it.”