Jurgen Klopp downplayed Liverpool’s recent winning streak, predicting that Manchester City will reclaim a six-point lead in the title race this weekend.
On January 15, Pep Guardiola’s team was 14 points ahead of Liverpool – who had two games in hand – but the margin has narrowed to three points when Klopp’s side hammered Leeds 6-0, allowing Liverpool to better City’s goal difference.
On Sunday, Liverpool will face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Final. But City will face Everton at Goodison Park first. Klopp likes the way his team is playing, but he doesn’t believe it means anything at this point in the season.
‘We go on the front foot, but honestly, we don’t pursue City; we try to win all games,’ Klopp said.
‘The thing is, we have the cup final at the weekend, and City play, I’m not sure who they’ll play. But they’ll definitely win this game. So it’ll be six points again before we play the next league game.’
‘And I’m not sure if we play the following game before or after them, so it might be nine points all of a sudden.’ So we don’t have to keep track of these things; all we have to do is win football games.’
What Klopp didn’t realize was that Liverpool plays West Ham at Anfield on the first weekend of March, and if City loses at Goodison Park, the Anfield team may overtake City before the Manchester derby on March 6.
‘I liked the clean sheet just as much as I loved the goals we scored,’ Klopp added. ‘Everything we do is built around a well-organized defensive effort.’ We are only a good football team without it; with it, we can be a successful football team.’
‘I admire the determination and commitment the boys showed tonight; it’s going to be an intriguing part of the season, with the EFL Cup final and then West Ham, I believe.’
‘So many things can happen between now and then; all we have to do is stay focused and give it our all.’