MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 19:30:23| >> :60:243:243:
[monks data]
Attendance: 54,511
Manchester City logo
Premier League | Gameweek 21
Jan 3, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

2-1

Aguero (40'), Sane (72')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Firmino (64')

Jurgen Klopp believes league position counts for little ahead of Manchester City clash

Jurgen Klopp believes league position counts for little ahead of Manchester City clash
© Reuters
Liverpool are nine points clear at the top.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists the Premier League table counts for nothing when his side head into battle against title rivals Manchester City on Thursday.

A 5-1 win over Arsenal extended their lead at the top to nine points from Tottenham, although third-placed City have a chance to reduce that to seven if they win at Southampton on Sunday.

The numbers mean little to Klopp, however, who is focusing on the game which lies ahead at the Etihad Stadium.

"What do you think? When we went to City last year, do you think I had the table in the dressing room and said, 'We are fourth, they are first?'" he said.

"It's just not important. We wanted to win the game, which we obviously didn't do (they lost 5-0 after Sadio Mane was sent off in the first half), but we wanted to win it that day and I think everyone who remembers it saw that.

"The only thing that has changed is that you all ask about it, that's all. It's not a problem, you can ask what you want.

"We go to City not with whatever-point distance, we only go there to try to play the best football game we can play: 100 per cent."

Victory over Arsenal, achieved thanks to a first Liverpool hat-trick from Roberto Firmino and goals from Mohamed Salah and Mane after Ainsley Maitland-Niles had given the visitors an early lead made it nine successive league wins.

They extended their unbeaten start to 20 matches and the 54 points from 20 league matches – 16 more than they had at the same stage a year ago – is the best start to a season in their history.

Despite all the good news Klopp is trying to keep things in perspective.

Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp will not let Liverpool get ahead of themselves (Martin Rickett/PA)

"I don't think I am famous for not being a positive person. From time to time, even I enjoy life," he added.

"When we came into the season the thing was if we can qualify for a third time for a Champions League spot then that would be brilliant.

"Now we have quite a distance between that, but do I feel that's already done? No. Sorry, I cannot feel it.

"I've learned in sports like this that you think about the next step and not the next, next step. We don't do that.

"The fans think we are in good shape and it would be crazy if they didn't think we are not in a good moment, absolutely crazy.

"A few of them obviously have holiday at this time of year, so maybe New Year's Eve will be a bit louder in Liverpool – hopefully not too loud because my dog doesn't like it!

"Enjoy it and do whatever you do, but be ready again on January 3. That's all I am asking."

Arsenal have now won just one of the last five matches after putting together a 22-game unbeaten run in all competitions earlier in the season.

Unai Emery
Unai Emery has called on Arsenal to tighten up at the back (Adam Davy/PA)

Manager Unai Emery accepts some work needs to be done on their structure.

"Defensively we need to be stronger, to work," he said.

"Our defensive moments in our box is my responsibility and then we need the balance. We need to keep the balance in the middle.

"We need to be serious and continue on Tuesday with a big match at the Emirates (against Fulham).

"We need to show our supporters there we are standing up after the result."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Carl Markham, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'a32f6d2e-8ad3-4dba-bbb3-2c35fde7b52c');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Jurgen Klopp believes league position counts for little ahead of Manchester City clash'});

ID:345509: cacheID:345509:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9979:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on December 29, 2018
Read Next:
Liverpool boss Klopp refusing to take Premier League advantage for granted
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!