Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted he is calm amid the pressure of the Premier League title race.
Liverpool moved top of the Premier League table at the weekend and look to continue their push for the title when Sheffield United arrive at Anfield on Thursday evening.
Just three points separate the top three in the division, with Arsenal and Manchester City each looking to increase the pressure on the current leaders in fixtures on Wednesday.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Klopp said he has no interest in Liverpool’s title rivals and said his focus is only on his team and their results.
“I didn’t even know that they play tonight. That is really not my subject. I expect them always to win,” Klopp said on Arsenal and Man City.
“That’s not possible when they play against each other – but now they don’t do that any more so I expect them always to win. It’s not about that.
“We need to get our points in, we need to win our football games. The rest I am honestly not interested in. When they play my heart rate doesn’t go up.”
Klopp has insisted that Liverpool will not be underestimating Sheffield United, who sit bottom of the Premier League and are 10 points from safety, ahead of their clash with Manchester United at the weekend. The Blades have improved in recent weeks with back-to-back draws against Bournemouth and Fulham.
“I don’t think our people are like this.
“If I would talk now about Manchester United I think our people would have the right to think I am already too long in the chair. It makes no sense.
“You cannot play football, you cannot win football games by not respecting the opponent. I have no chance to influence the Manchester United game in this moment. We will play the players who are available. Sheffield United deserves our full respect and will get that.”
Klopp confirmed Curtis Jones is in contention to feature after injury, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Alisson are nearing returns.
“We need the squad. We need everybody who can come back. We need, in an ideal world, to be at full strength, which is probably not possible because when they come back then someone else will not be available – that’s how it is.
“The games are too intense, everybody is fighting for everything so it’s really a tough period, but obviously exciting as well.
“We are looking forward to it – not only tomorrow but all the games coming up. They are all difficult for different reasons but we are really looking forward to it – I cannot say it differently.”
