Liverpool FC could take a decisive step closer to the Premier League title this weekend, while rivals Manchester City and Arsenal take points off each other. Jürgen Klopp, however, views the game against Brighton independently of the top-of-the-table clash
It will be a landmark Sunday in the three-way battle for the Premier League title: not only do leaders Arsenal host third-placed Manchester City (5.30pm), but Liverpool FC, currently in second place, have to play immediately beforehand. The Reds welcome Brighton & Hove Albion (3pm).
Jürgen Klopp and his team therefore have a great opportunity to make up ground on at least one of their two rivals. However, the coach himself is not looking to Manchester, as he explained at the press conference ahead of the 30th matchday: “I see the game independently of the other game. It’s a home game and we’re going for three points, but we all know how difficult that is against Brighton. “
Klopp on Brighton: “Couldn’t coach this style of play “
What makes the clash particularly uncomfortable for the Reds is that the Seagulls prefer to have the ball in their own ranks – just like Liverpool themselves. “We have to have more possession, that’s the best way to defend them.” Klopp praised his opposite number Roberto de Zerbi, who was recently even linked with a move to FC Bayern. “I couldn’t coach this style of play, it goes against my personality, but it’s nice to watch. It’s very demanding for the players, very clearly structured. “
The way they play soccer means Brighton can beat any team on a good day. “But the good news is: we can do that too,” emphasized Klopp. This must be proven in the final sprint of the season. “There are certainly 12 games left, maybe 14, maybe 15. That’s not that many, but in a short space of time. It’s difficult and everyone needs luck, even with injuries. We haven’t had that so far and I hope we have it now,” explained the coach, who is still missing goalkeeper Alisson (hamstring injury), Trent Alexander-Arnold (torn knee collateral ligament), Joel Matip (torn cruciate ligament) and Diogo Jota (torn knee collateral ligament), among others.
The early withdrawal of left-back Andrew Robertson from Scotland’s test against Northern Ireland due to injury also caused concern during the international break. “We’ll look at it day by day, but it’s not too bad,” explained Klopp optimistically. The rest of the sidelined squad will “come back bit by bit from next week”.
Despite missing out on the all-important win, Klopp is positive about the current situation in the table, in which Liverpool have the chance to “fight for everything”. “If I had been told in the summer that we would be up there with Arsenal and Man City, I would have signed up immediately.”
Jürgen Klopp knows how to keep his nerve in the title race from his many years of experience – even if his three national championship titles (one with Liverpool, two with Dortmund) have never been as close as in the current Premier League season. Nevertheless, the path remains the same: “We have to give everything and ignore the chaos that is being created from the outside. “
