LONDON • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists that he is focusing solely on his team and nobody else.
The Reds lead the English Premier League by a point from Manchester City and will get an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table today when they travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
But the German told a pre-match conference: "We have to be consistent. So many things can happen, why should we think about one opponent like we are the only ones who can stop City?
"It's not like that. Only City can stop City, to be honest. We have to play our own game and try to get as many points as possible, that's all."
The Reds are the only unbeaten side left in the league this season and are flying high on 45 points, one more than champions City, who host Crystal Palace tomorrow.
Wolves are in a good run of form themselves, winning three straight following two defeats and are seventh in the standings on 25 points.
"It's an outstanding project, what they did last year in the Championship," Klopp added of today's opponents, referring to their 99-point title-winning campaign.
"Then they brought in a lot of players again and needed a bit of time, now they're really strong. We have to go there and be at our best."
One Liverpool player who is arguably at his best at the moment is forward Xherdan Shaqiri, who scored two goals in the 3-1 win over Manchester United last weekend.
The Swiss was fortunate to get a move to Anfield in July, having been part of a relegated Stoke side, and it is only now that he is starting to suggest he can be a key figure.
There were questions over whether he had the necessary work ethic for the demanding Klopp.
Answering those questions has taken time, but he is getting there, as the Liverpool boss himself has acknowledged.
"Shaq needs time, it's normal," Klopp said. "He knows that he has so much potential still to improve. But of course he's the guy for decisive moments, and we have to make sure that it stays like this."
Shaqiri, 27, once stated in an interview that he felt his new club "can win everything in the world".
If that statement seemed hubristic, it was at least made from a position of knowledge as to what it takes to be successful - he was part of the Bayern Munich squad that won back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2013 and 2014.
That winning nous may prove useful in a Liverpool squad full of talent but short on experience when it comes to winning league titles.
In addition to his goal-scoring threat, he also possesses an ability to unlock defences with short and long-range passing and an appreciation of how to find and exploit space. Those skills, in addition to his ability as a free-kick taker, are likely to be vital in tight games.
Klopp has hinted that there will be opportunities for him across the attacking line, even if it comes at the expense of one of the team's menacing trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
"He is someone who makes a big difference because he can fit in so many positions in our system," the manager said.
Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren believes his team can match Arsenal's 2003-04 "Invincibles" by going the whole season unbeaten and lifting the title.
"Arsenal did it before so why not?" he said.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
WOLVES V LIVERPOOL
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, tomorrow, 4am
Reds must play own game: Klopp - straitstimes.com
They'll need every part of the side to be in form to emerge with two positive results and Mane can be key to any success thanks to being on top of his own game, says the boss. Indeed, Klopp
Jürgen Klopp: We're not finished, so let's play and see what
How Reds learned from Man City - and what Klopp said after defeat Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now "When you lose games you analyse them more than when you
The Reds moved back to the top of the table with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over relegated Huddersfield, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah each bagging a brace following Naby Keita's opener
Reds are '10 games from greatness' whether Klopp admits it or
Liverpool Opinion: Why the Reds must go all out for Donny van de Beek? According to last year's report from Football Oranje, Liverpool were one of the host of Europe's top clubs interested in
How Reds learned from Man City - and what Klopp said after
LONDON • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists that he is focusing solely on his team and nobody else. Read more at straitstimes.com. Reds must play own game: Klopp, Football News & Top Stories
Reds need to focus on their own games - Klopp | ClubCall.com
The maths are simple: for Liverpool to win the Premier League title this weekend, not only must the Reds do our own job against Wolves at Anfield, but Manchester City must drop points down at
Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp outlines what Reds must do to win
Publicly, Klopp would never assert that is team are "10 games from greatness". The Reds boss has always been keen to play down the increasing weight of expectation, blocking out the white noise of
Reds must rediscover passion: Klopp, Football News & Top
Reds must rediscover passion: Klopp. derby (on Sunday), which is a very emotional game. "He can have his own opinion," the Norwegian said of Klopp. "We had a good performance, defensively
Brighton's message to Reds fans ahead of the final day
Jürgen Klopp accepts Liverpool face a 'big challenge' as they attempt to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit against FC Barcelona tonight - but insisted his side are not finished in the tie. Despite a strong display, the Reds suffered a 3-0 reversal in last week's first meeting at Camp
Liverpool News: Why the Reds must go all out for Donny van de
Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp outlines what Reds must do to win silverware after setback hands Man City advantage in title race. The German also rejected the idea he did not attack enough in search of
Praise for Liverpool's best recent player as Jurgen Klopp
No comments:
Post a Comment