LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp reckons his champions face a ‘tough’ battle just to finish in the top four.
The German manager thinks talk of retaining the Premier League title can wait until they qualify for the Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp thinks Liverpool face a fight to finish in the top fourCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Liverpool are fourth in the league and three points off the top after no wins in their last four games.
It’s in stark contrast to this time last year, when they had won all but one Premier League match and had a double-digit points lead.
And Klopp admitted finishing in the top four is his first priority rather than winning back-to-back titles.
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The Reds boss said: “In the season we came second with 97 points, I only started thinking about winning the title when it was clear that we were in the Champions League.
“I know my job. I know what I have to do. I have to qualify for the Champions League and I know how difficult that is.
“That means this season will be a tough race for the top four that is for sure.”
Klopp added: “Football fans are not the most patient species on this planet. They want to win each football game.”
Liverpool are fourth in the league and three points off the top
Liverpool are four games without a win after Sunday’s goalless draw with Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images
“I am not too different from that. But I am long enough in the business to know that there are more difficult periods.
“And this is not the most difficult period I have been through in my life, it’s not even close. We have to be patient.
“We have points and we are in the bunch of a group of teams who fight for this and that is the job. That is what we have to do.
“It’s not about ‘if we don’t become champion, it’s not fun anymore’. That’s not like it is. We fight for everything.”
Liverpool went three games without a goal when they were held to a 0-0 draw by leaders Manchester United on Sunday.
The Reds face Burnley on Thursday night while United travel to Fulham on Wednesday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd’s draw with Liverpool at Anfield
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
