Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp no longer thinks that the Reds can still retain the title of champion won back after 30 years of waiting last season, after their loss on Saturday at Leicester (3-1) for the 24th day of Premier League.
After opening the scoring, Liverpool conceded three goals in 7 minutes to find themselves 4th 10 points behind leaders Manchester City who have played two games less.
“No, honestly, I don't think we can bridge this gap this year,” he admitted at a post-match press conference.
“We have to win matches and a lot of our football today was really, really good again.
But we have to avoid mistakes, avoid misunderstandings, ”he stressed.
“Today we didn't do that twice today and Leicester were able to score twice,” he continued.
The coach refers in particular to the Foxes' second goal, on a long, harmless ball where goalkeeper Alisson, out of the box, and Turkish defender Ozan Kabak, who was playing his first match after arriving in the winter transfer window, are struck to leave the ball to Jamie Vardy who scored in the empty goal (2-1, 81st).
"We no longer care about the title, we are not stupid"
"We no longer care about the title, we are not idiots," said Klopp, who knows that another fight, just as important for the future of Liverpool, begins with the race for the top 4 which qualifies for the lucrative Champions League.
"We have a difficult match on Tuesday (in the round of 16 first leg of C1 against Leipzig) and then another Saturday, a derby", against Everton, who could join them in points in the event of victory on Sunday against Fulham, he said. recalled.
"This is what we are thinking about and we still want to have a positive season," he said.
“We are not looking for excuses.
A lot of things (like the many injuries) have happened and that's the game ”.
“In times when it's difficult, I know the only way out is to play good football, to fight and to work hard.
We are still capable of it and that is what we will continue to do.
We must continue to do so, ”he insisted.
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