Jurgen Klopp says title ‘not out of reach’ for Liverpool, puts pressure on Man City to ‘win every game’

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Manchester City are ‘not completely out of reach’ in the race for the Premier League title with so many games still to play in the season.

The Reds can go within three points of City if they win their game in hand against Leeds United on Wednesday, and with a game at Manchester City still to play in April the league is technically in their hands.

But Klopp refused to budge when asked about the title being back on.

“We have so many games to play and yes, if we can win them all, it’s a title race.” Klopp said.

“I understand people get excited, that’s good. They are not completely out of reach but it’s a tricky situation. I didn’t think one second about a title race.

“I know you don’t ask about the next opponent but I’m still naive enough to expect [questions] about the next opponent.

“One minute after Norwich game, it’s over and we think about Leeds and so much can happen in football. It’s six points and we play Leeds.

“Leeds fight to stay in this league and they really never give up so we have to make sure we cannot help tomorrow. We have a lot of work to do.

“We expect that [City will win their games]. We play them once, that’s one we definitely want to win.

“This game [against Leeds], nothing has changed. We cannot win everything in just one game, we just try to win a very difficult Premier League game.”

Leeds could ‘eat you’

Klopp seemed exclusively focused on Wednesday’s meeting with strugglers Leeds despite attempts to drag him into title chat.

And the Reds manager is fully aware of the dangers Marcelo Bielsa’s side pose, even during a period of poor form and without key players.

He said: “Leeds man mark all over the pitch so if you are not in the game then Leeds will eat you.

“They are leading in three decisive running Premier League stats. You have to be ready for these runs and they never give up on top of that. Some spectacular results in both directions.

“Leeds are missing some decisive players, Cooper, Phillips, Bamford. That can hurt as a team, the spine of a team in their best periods. I know that.

“I expect the same attitude. The result we had [the 4-3 win in this fixture last season] I know Leeds are all in. We have to be ready.

“I hope that we, as a unit with our supporters, are difficult to beat. If we are, we have a chance to win. We need to make sure we are really on it to give everything. If we’re not ready for a fight, we will suffer.”

Pleased with Joe Gomez return

Saturday saw Joe Gomez make his first Premier League start for 15 months and his first start since the Carabao Cup win against Leicester City in December.

Long-term injury combined with the form of Joel Matip and the signing of Ibrahima Konate had pushed the 24-year-old to the back of the pecking order, with rumours that the defender wanted to leave.

But Gomez has bounced back and put in a solid 90 minutes against Norwich, with Klopp among many coming out recently to praise his character.

“A very special story.” Klopp added.

“With the quality of Joe, if I had it, I would be difficult to deal with. Everyone loves Joey and with his injury, covid at the wrong time, he didn’t get rhythm. I am really happy with his performance. I was pleased with him.”

“It’s not the position he loves the most [right-back]. He is an example and we have lots of others. I told the boys yesterday, the way we deal with some situations is exceptional.

“Last two games, changes we made were massive with their influence. That’s how it has to be.”