Coach Jurgen Klopp does not want his players to worry about the point gap between Liverpool and their two closest rivals in the Premier League title race.
"What we have learned over the years to be close to Man City is that you better win all the games because they are very strong," Klopp said at a press conference ahead of the match against Arsenal in the 23rd round of the Premier League. "This is the league, this is the moment when Man City are dominating. Man City are playing amazingly and many people say they are not having a good season, but look at where they are now."
Before round 23, Liverpool had won all four of their most recent matches to maintain their top position with 51 points, five points ahead of Man City and Arsenal. With Man City playing their latest match of the round against Brentford on February 5, Liverpool could widen the gap with the chasing pack to eight points if they win at Emirates.
Manager Jurgen Klopp directs Liverpool's 2-0 win over Arsenal in the FA Cup third round at Emirates Stadium, London on January 7, 2024. Photo: Reuters
Asked about the prospect, Klopp replied: "I don't think about it. I don't go to the players in the dressing room and say, 'We'll be eight points clear if we win'. If we lose, we're still two points ahead, and Man City have a game in hand. We just focus on the game and what we can do."
Klopp has a personnel headache with full-backs Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson fit and ready to start for the first time since returning from injury. But Joe Gomez is also in impressive form, while 20-year-old right-back Conor Bradley has just shone with a goal and an assist, being named man of the match in the 4-1 win over Chelsea in midweek.
"It's not a challenge," Klopp said of getting key players back. "For the first time this season we have the luxury of having more players available in different positions than we need in the starting line-up. But that's not a problem."
In the win over Chelsea, Darwin Nunez had a poor performance, finishing 11 times with four of them hitting the woodwork - a Premier League record. Klopp said the Uruguayan striker suffered a leg injury at the end of the match and left open the possibility of playing against Arsenal. He also admitted that his student was affected psychologically because of wasting opportunities. "Nunez is also a normal person. If that doesn't affect Nunez, it would be strange," Klopp said. "The missed penalty against Chelsea had a big impact on Nunez. But he knows he will have another chance."
In the Premier League this season, Nunez has scored seven goals, averaging a goal every 186 minutes, or a goal every 8.5 shots, with 32 of his 60 shots on target. Meanwhile, Diogo Jota has been more efficient with eight goals, averaging a goal every 106 minutes, or a goal every 2.3 shots, with 12 of his 19 shots on target and yet to hit the woodwork. "Jota is a complete striker and an extremely intelligent footballer," Klopp praised his student.
Hong Duy
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