Liverpool’s Title Race Update
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp remains positive about their place in the title race and still believes if they win all remaining six matches they will be Premier League champions again.
Recent Performance
A difficult run of results – starting with a draw at Manchester United and followed by home defeats to Atalanta and Crystal Palace – ended with a 1-0 Europa League victory in Bergamo but that could not prevent their exit from the Europa League 3-1 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage.
Confidence Boost
A first clean sheet in 10 matches was a boost to confidence, especially as they continue to struggle to find their best form at the other end of the pitch, and Klopp thinks the two-point gap to leaders Manchester City can be overhauled with a perfect run in.
Klopp’s Optimism
“It’s not obviously in our hands, it is not about that,” said Klopp. “I think if we would win all our games there is a good chance we will be champion. If not there is a good chance someone else will be champion.”
Experience and Lessons
Over the course of their recent rivalry, Liverpool have had a couple of seasons where the race to the line with City has seen them miss out by just a point despite matching each other win-for-win for the majority of the run in. But Klopp said that experience was not necessarily as positive as onlookers may believe.
Turning Things Around
Key to turning things around will be a change in fortunes in front of goal. Three goals in their last four matches has stalled their progress with the forwards failing to take numerous opportunities they have created.
Forward Struggles
Mohamed Salah, whom Klopp defended after he missed a key chance to make it 2-0 against Atalanta, has scored six – two of which were penalties – in 11 matches since returning from two months out with a hamstring injury.