Jürgen Klopp said Liverpool should not behave “like it is a funeral” after being held at home by Tottenham but admitted he cannot envisage Manchester City dropping any more points in the title race.
Liverpool replaced City at the top of the table but only on goal difference after their 12-match winning streak at Anfield ended with a 1-1 draw against Antonio Conte’s side. Pep Guardiola’s team can open up a three-point lead with victory over Newcastle on Sunday and Klopp does not expect the reigning champions to falter over their remaining four games.
“It is an important point because it is one point more than before the game but we all know the situation,” the Liverpool manager said. “We are now top of the table. My favourite situation is if we and City lose all our remaining games and we stay top but we all know it will not be like this.
“I would love here to sit here and say, yes, City will drop points but I can’t see it. We will see what happens. My problem is not City against Newcastle tomorrow, it is that we play against Aston Villa on Tuesday. One point more than before, good, from 1-0 down it is massively better, but it was not exactly what we want. Now we have to deal with it but we will.”
Klopp insisted there was no reason for his players to be downcast about their title prospects. He added: “First and foremost we should stop behaving like it is a funeral. In my life much worse things happen. The only chance we have is if something goes our way. Imagine City lose, I can’t see it, but imagine if they do and we lose it [the title] because we don’t believe any more. That would be crazy.”
Conte was impressed by Spurs’ composure and bravery in possession but lamented a lack of clinical edge in front of goal. The Spurs manager said: “We have to be satisfied, it is not easy to play in this moment against an amazing team. But I have seen in the eyes of my players a bit of disappointment because we had the chances to win the game.”
Tottenham’s effective counterattacking style did not impress Klopp, however. The Liverpool manager said: “I don’t like this kind of football but that is my problem. I cannot coach it. I respect what they do with world-class players but I cannot coach that.”
