LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool still have the look of Premier League champions despite a goalless Merseyside derby draw at Everton that saw them fall a point behind Manchester City at the top of the table.
After a run of four draws in their past six league games, Liverpool ended the weekend behind City for the first time in three months having played the same number of games as Pep Guardiola's defending champions.
Everton's run without a derby win extended to 19 games stretching back to 2010.
However, the celebrations from the home supporters on the final whistle indicated how much they believe they have damaged Liverpool's hopes of securing a first league title in 29 years.
Klopp, however, remained defiant and continues to see evidence that his players have the resilience to cope with the pressure of one of the most tense title races in years.
"I don't have to give my players any advice, they know already," said Klopp. "They're not little boys any more.
"Sometimes you have the lead and people say it's done when there are 20 games to go to the end of the season, and now they have one or two more points than us. It's the beginning of March, who cares?
Â
"I believe 100 percent in our chances. I know that game-by-game my feeling gets better about the boys because they look ready for it.
"Today, of course, we didn't score, that can happen. A difficult game, opponent, and the wind and weather circumstances didn't help for football in general, it was just a fight.
"We were ready for that today and now we have a point more than before - all good."
Wasteful Salah
The game, and league table, could have had a very different look had Mohamed Salah not missed the best chance of the game on 28 minutes.
Morgan Schneiderlin's error in midfield allowed Fabinho to play a first-time through ball which sent the Egyptian bearing down on goal with only Jordan Pickford to beat.
But the England goalkeeper, who was at fault for Liverpool's dramatic 96th-minute winner when the sides met in December, did well to spread himself and beat away Salah's shot.
Salah also missed the best opportunity of the second half when a bad touch allowed Michael Keane to make a magnificent last-ditch challenge.
The African player of the year, who scored 44 goals in an incredible first season at Anfield, has now scored just once in his last seven games.
"When you see the situation, he is doing everything right," Klopp said of Salah's wasted chances. "He takes his decision a millisecond earlier or later and the defender can jump in.
"We had our moments but there is no reason for taking it or not taking it, you have to fight against the circumstances, against the opponent, and the boys did that." There were other chances for Liverpool, the best of which fell to Fabinho 21 minutes from time, but he took too long to control and allowed Lucas Digne to make a tackle.
Yet, Everton could even have snatched a long-awaited win near the end when substitute Richarlison's low cross just eluded Bernard.
"We knew how much this fixture means to the fans," said Pickford. "If you can't score, then don't concede."
If you're new, Subscribe! →
Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele returned to team training on Thursday, increasing hopes that he will recover from his hamstring injury in time for next we
Barcelona's Dembele back training ahead of Manchester United
Gerard, breeder for theTurtleRoom.com shows an amazing video where a particularly angry Mata Mata Turtle (Chelus fimbriata) displays its ability to strike with incredible speed. Mata Matas have
Apartment rental in La Mata, Spain - YouTube
Mbappe had two goals ruled out in the first half, one for offside and one for handball, but made amends after the interval as he finished from close range on 69 minutes to mark his half century in
Mbappe reaches half century as PSG brush Nimes aside
Australia's professional female footballers secured a landmark pay rise Friday that will see them receive the same minimum wage as their male counterparts. Under a new collective bargaining agreement unveiled on the eve of the World Cup in France, the base annual pay for players in the W-League was hiked 33 percent to Aus$16,344 (US$11,393).
Australian female footballers to earn same base pay as men
Jun 06, 2019 · Players, both American and international, who will be worth watching at the World Cup in France: Julie Ertz — Now playing in the midfield, she is the link between the Americans' offense and defense.
Players to watch in France - straitstimes.com
Arsenal's Lacazette free to face Rennes as UEFA cuts ban first-leg match and was hit with a three-game ban by European soccer's governing body for serious rough play. by Arsenal FC has
Football: Arsenal's Lacazette free to face Rennes as Uefa
Football: Pochettino gives backing to under-fire Lloris LONDON (AFP) - Mauricio Pochettino said on Tuesday (April 2) that Hugo Lloris will remain in goal for Tottenham despite a series of costly errors this season.
Pochettino gives backing to under-fire Lloris -football- my.t
It's a result that will send shockwaves through the tournament — defending Asian Cup champions Australia beaten 1-0 by Jordan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.
Asian Cup 2019: Australia 0 Jordan 1 | Goal.com
Sarri, whose own future at Chelsea remains in doubt after a tumultuous campaign with Juventus credited with an interest in luring him back to Serie A, admitted he had long known of Hazard's intentions. "As you know, Hazard is a wonderful player, but you have to spend two or three months to understand him as a man," said the Italian.
Hazard still keen on 'dream' Real Madrid move | Sports
Jose Mourinho praises Jurgen Klopp: 'His mentality behind Liverpool's historic comeback' - Liverpool produced one of the greatest comebacks in the competition's history to beat Barcelona 4-0.
VIGO: Barcelona fell to their first La Liga defeat since November as the champions were beaten 2-0 at struggling Celta Vigo after making 11 changes but forward Ousmane Dembele suffered an injury
Makeshift Barca side beaten at Celta and lose Dembele to injury
Vigil van Dijk could not vote for a team mate. (Reuters picture) BANGALORE: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk says he voted for Manchester City's Raheem Sterling to be named PFA player of the year.
Sterling gets van Dijk's vote for PFA award - theworldnews.net
(Reuters) - China was all but confirmed as host nation of the next Asian Cup tournament in 2023 after the only other bidders South Korea withdrew from the process. The Korean Football association
China all but confirmed as 2023 Asian Cup hosts after Korea
Van Dijk is one of the favourites for the Player of the Year award but revealed he voted for City's Raheem Sterling. Sterling gets Van Dijk's vote for PFA player of the year.
0 comments:
Post a Comment