Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp dampens title talk ahead of packed schedule

LIVERPOOL – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said it is too soon to be talking about his side being title contenders after they missed the chance to go top of the English Premier League following the

0-0 draw with Manchester United on Dec 17.

Liverpool, who finished fifth last season, are a point behind leaders Arsenal with 17 matches played and, while Klopp is happy to be in the hunt for top spot, he said the intense run of upcoming fixtures can change everything.

They face West Ham United in the League Cup quarter-finals on Dec 20 before taking on Arsenal in the league three days later, followed by a midweek trip to Burnley.

“I am happy we are in the area where we are and I don’t know why we open that discussion, this bottle, this early,” said Klopp about the title talk.

“It’s December, it’s the toughest period of the year. Everybody has to get through it somehow, everybody has to dig really deep to get through it.

“Nobody expected us there. I thought it was possible, but didn’t really think about it.

“So, now we are where we are and now we have to make sure we don’t make any negatives out of that.”

Liverpool’s failure to break down United’s massed defence cost them top spot in the league as Arsenal took pole position following their 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Taking a swipe at United’s negative tactics, which allowed Liverpool to have 34 shots but only eight on target, captain Virgil van Dijk said: “If you see how we played the game, we had most of the ball and created some opportunities. There was only one team trying to win the game...

“It’s frustrating as we were superior in all aspects and they were just hoping on the counter-attack to hurt us.

“In the end, they are buzzing with a point and we are disappointed with a point.”

When asked about van Dijk’s comments, United manager Erik ten Hag said: “It’s his opinion. We should have taken more of the ball... and then we could have even hurt the opponent even more.

“But all over in the end, you have to conclude, we had the best chances from open play for Rasmus Hojlund and (Alejandro) Garnacho.”

With Andy Robertson, Diogo Jota, Joel Matip, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic all sidelined due to injury, Liverpool’s squad will be stretched over the next few weeks.

The departure of Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch after 61 minutes due to injury was not a welcome sight for Klopp.

He said: “I hope it is not that serious but we have in the next 10 days three more games, so I don’t know if he will be part of them or one of them. We will see, we have to make a scan.” REUTERS