Jurgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool’s players are ready to “try” to win the Premier League title after missing the chance to dismantle Arsenal.
Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday despite scoring the most goals in the group stage this season (34). Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahim Konate went close for United, while Rasmus Hoylund had United’s best chance on the counter-attack.
As a result, Klopp’s side finished second, a point behind leaders Arsenal, after Mikel Arteta’s side beat Brighton 2-0. Early afternoon. Meanwhile, Aston Villa are level on points with Liverpool after an impressive 2-1 win at Brentford. With Arsenal advancing to the Premier League ahead of Liverpool next weekend, Klopp gave a mixed response when asked about top spot. Klopp, title race ‘Open’ in post-match press conference? “Never mind…let’s see what happens in April.”
He added: “I think my boys are ready to love it today.”Fourth-placed Manchester City failed to secure a place in the top three after being held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s side are currently five points behind Arsenal and could fall further behind City, who do not play in the Premier League until December 27 due to the Club World Cup. For Liverpool, a goalless draw with United would be seen as a missed opportunity.
They are targeting the title of Premier League champions for the second time in four years. Klopp said of Liverpool’s performance: “What I don’t like the most is the result. We should have won the game. We should have had a few more men on target with that finish.
There should have been more, but it was something I liked. The back pressure was the best of this bunch, the intensity and starts were probably the best I’ve ever had. “It hurts today, it’s good, it gives us a lot of information. Now we have to finish the job.
In some cases, the player shot from distance when he was in a better position. “It’s nothing. Just one goal and everything will be fine. I don’t remember being as dominant as I was today against Manchester United.” It was special, so was the atmosphere. There were times when we were in a hurry. I played too many long balls. When I built the building with three people, they had no solution. Maybe we could have used more overlays and overlays, but the box was full when it arrived.”
In terms of passion, Manchester United played a fantastic game and gave everything. When a team plays with so much passion, they have to break the rhythm. Today’s attitude was up, up, up. “I hope we win, but we have something else and that’s a good thing.”
