Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool must shelve Premier League title aspirations and focus for now on Champions League qualification. A week that has seen results go against them has moved the champions from top spot to fourth in the table. The Reds’ goalless draw with Manchester United on Sunday means they are now without a win since the 7-0 hammering of Crystal Palace on December 19. In that time, Klopp’s side have taken just three points from the last 12 on offer and Sunday’s draw means United remain three clear of them at the summit. Klopp says the focus has always been on qualification for Europe’s premier competition first and foremost at Anfield and that will stay the same until it has been mathematically confirmed.
Jurgen Klopp said “Absolutely I have known it always, It was always clear when we had 98 points, the season when we came second. The day that I really started to think about the title race was the day it was clear we are in the Champions League. So I know my job and I know what I have to do. The most important thing is to qualify for the Champions League. Yes, you are right, that makes this season a tough race for the top four. That is true. I cannot decide how people look at it. I know that football fans in general are not the most patient species on this planet. They want to win each game and I am not too different to that. But I am long enough in the business to know that you go through difficult periods too. And it is not the most difficult situation of my life, not even close to it.”
