(Reuters) – Liverpool need to rediscover their old selves, manager Juergen Klopp said on Friday as he conceded that his side were unlikely to end the season as Premier League champions after a slump in form reduced the title battle to a two-horse race.
Liverpool, who visit West Ham United on Saturday, have won one of their last four league games and Klopp, who will step down at the end of the season, said he was responsible for the “mood” in his squad.
A 2-0 loss at Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday inflicted a massive blow to Liverpool’s hopes of winning the league with the club third in the standings, three points adrift of leaders Arsenal with four games remaining.
Manchester City climbed to within a point of the Gunners following Thursday’s victory over Brighton & Hove Albion and have a game in hand.
“I am responsible for the mood and I wouldn’t say we are in the best place now, we lost the decisive battles at Goodison Park, really bad,” Klopp told reporters.
Asked about his side’s loosening grip on the title, Klopp said: “I am pretty sure City and Arsenal see it as a two-horse race. They might say something differently publicly but I don’t expect them to lose two games.”
“I don’t expect them to lose. We have to be there if they do. Let’s start by winning against West Ham. They lost their last game too, so they have to show a reaction and we have to as well.”
Klopp added that he would do what he could to take the pressure off his squad and took responsibility for the players not feeling they could perform at their best.
“We don’t want to feel the pressure for whatever reason. The boys are incredible players and it is my job to create an atmosphere where they can be the best version of themselves. And that is where I have failed.”
“Not sure where it happened but I didn’t see anything of what we want to be at Everton. Now we try to be much more like ourselves.”
Feyenoord’s Arne Slot has said he would like to replace Klopp as Liverpool manager. Klopp said he would be happy if the club were to appoint the Dutchman.
“I have heard he is a good guy, good coach,” Klopp said. “Looking forward for the club, if he is the solution, if he is the man, I am more than happy.”
(Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)
Source Agencies
