Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool ‘don’t chase Man City’ and concentrate on ‘front-footed’ football

Liverpool hit Leeds for six and went to within three points of Manchester City but Klopp is keeping a level head on title talk.
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Jurgen Klopp has insisted Liverpool ‘don’t chase City’ with Premier League title talk intensifying following Wednesday evening’s demolition of Leeds United.

The Reds were imperious from start to finish and never gave a woeful Leeds side a sniff, with two Mohamed Salah penalties adding to a Sadio Mane brace and a goal-a-piece from Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk.

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Three goals from 80 minutes onwards gave a clear sign of Klopp’s intentions last night and Liverpool are now on +50 goal difference - four more than league leaders City.

But the Liverpool manager has stressed that neither he nor his players are looking at Pep Guardiola’s side and trying to chase them down, and that their only focus is winning each game.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Man City manager Pep Guardiola. Picture:  Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesLiverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Man City manager Pep Guardiola. Picture:  Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Man City manager Pep Guardiola. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

“Honestly, we don’t chase City; we try to win our football games.” Klopp said.

“The thing is now we have obviously the cup final at the weekend and City play, I don’t know exactly who, but they might probably win this game then it is six points again before we play the next Premier League game.

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“We just have to win our football games. Do we do that front-footed? Yes, but as much as I love the goals we scored tonight, I loved the clean sheet because everything we do is based on a top-organised defensive performance.

“Without that we are just a good football team, but with that we can be a successful football team.”

Raucous celebrations in front of the Kop

The importance of such a dominant win was clear to see at full-time when Klopp approached the Kop and hit seven fist pumps towards the fans.

Klopp added: “If I’d been there 10 seconds later I wouldn’t have done it.

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“But in that moment I got a little bit carried away, obviously it doesn’t happen too often anymore to me but in this moment it happened and absolutely fine for the moment.

“I really loved how the whole stadium responded to the game tonight and how we were really in the game as a unit.

“I couldn’t be more thankful for the support of the people because so many things happen only because of them.

“I’m really happy that from time to time – it will not happen a lot – but we can give them a performance and a scoreline like tonight. That’s it, pretty much.”

Matip goal ‘possible’ as against Leeds

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Liverpool fans were ecstatic as one of Joel Matip’s trademark mazy runs finally ended with a goal, making it 2-0 on the half hour.

Matip bombed through an empty midfield before laying the ball wide to Salah and carrying on his run, before Salah laid the ball back into Matip to finish smartly - it was all too easy for Liverpool and Klopp knew such a goal would be possible against Leeds.

Joel Matip celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Leeds. Picture: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesJoel Matip celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Leeds. Picture: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Joel Matip celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Leeds. Picture: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

“You might remember the goal we scored, it was Mo’s goal after Trent’s cross at Leeds.” Klopp added.

“It was a very similar situation. The way Leeds defend, it gives, especially Joel on that right side, the chance and it is a duty then to step in, to make yards.

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“There will always be the block and you have to find a way to keep the game going and he did that this time with a pass to the outside and then followed through, which is absolutely great.

“Then he finished it off. It’s not possible in all games – and not needed in all games – but against Leeds it’s possible and against Leeds it’s needed as well.

“He did that very well and got the full reward for it. I am really happy for him.”