Jurgen Klopp has downplayed the significance of Manchester City’s draw with Crystal Palace, ahead of Liverpool’s trip to face Arsenal tomorrow.
The league leaders dropped points after a goalless draw at Selhurst Park on Monday night, a result that boosts Liverpool’s title hopes ahead of the club’s clash with Arsenal.
Klopp’s side can close the gap to just one point with a win in their game-in-hand at the Emirates, though face a tough test against an in-form Arsenal with nine wins from their last 11 games.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Klopp downplayed the importance of City’s dropped points and says his side must continue to focus on their own results.
“I watched City for exactly 65 minutes for analysis reasons, believe it or not. I don’t have time to watch them in real time,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“Palace did well, but so did City – they just didn’t finish situations off. For the last 30 minutes I didn’t watch, but I saw the result and was surprised.
“Does it help the mood? Why should it? We play Arsenal and we cannot count [on getting] points away at Arsenal now. It’s easy for you but it’s four points. We have to play this game. If we want to reach something in this Premier League and you’re not top then you need to win games and others need to drop [points].”
Klopp admitted his side’s run-in represents a series of finals, insisting Liverpool can ill-afford to drop points in their pursuit of the Premier League title.
“It’s final after final after final that we play,” he added.
“We’re not 10 points ahead with 10 games to go. It’s in front of us, so attack it, chase it, go for it. It’s the only chance we have.”
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has previously spoken about Liverpool being a continued ‘pain in the ass’ for his side, and Klopp says they will continue to try to be an annoyance to the league leaders in the pursuit of the title, with the two sides due to meet at the Etihad on April 10.
“The plan is to be as annoying as possible,” he said. “We have to win our games, you know that, but we are very ambitious and determined to do great stuff.
“We have 10 games to play and there’s a few really tough ones. They are all tough.
“Can we win all 10 games? It doesn’t sound likely, but we will give it a try.”
Klopp spoke further on this week’s opponents and was full of praise for Arsenal’s development this season, with the Gunners currently fourth and in a strong position to secure Champions League qualification for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
“Arsenal are a massive club. European qualification in the last few years was not exactly how they liked it, but [finishing in the] top four would be a step in the right direction.
“They are an exciting team. Since I’ve been here, Arsenal fans have not always enjoyed it but they are enjoying it now. That’s exactly how it is.”
