Jurgen Klopp says it will be "super tricky" for Liverpool to win the Premier League title after they surrendered top spot to Arsenal this weekend.
Liverpool's 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Sunday leaves them behind Arsenal on goal difference, and only a point above third-placed Manchester City with only seven matches remaining for all three title contenders.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
36 | +60 | 83 |
| 2 |
Man City
MCI
|
35 | +54 | 82 |
| 3 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
36 | +43 | 78 |
Klopp says, however, that trying to better Arsenal's goal difference in the remaining matches would be unwise, and that he is "absolutely fine" with his team being second at this stage of the season.
"Look, you will - and people, our supporters as well - tell us [Arsenal] have the better goal difference and now we have to go for that," Klopp said.
"That would be the dumbest thing we can do. It doesn't happen on purpose. You don't win a game and want to score eight goals and it happens.
Klopp's assessment of Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
"We are who we are, we are how we are and that is why we are in the race and I am absolutely fine with that. I knew it would be super tricky until the end. That's all. Again, until yesterday, we were top of the table and now it is Arsenal.
"We want to be there after 38 [games], after the last matchday. It's always better to be there the whole time and get some distance between you [and the other teams]. We are fine with our situation. I wish we would have more points, but I am absolutely fine - and I am actually over the moon these boys brought us into that situation. The same boys that missed a few chances today are the boys who brought us 71 points, so I am absolutely fine with that."
'Arsenal will beat Man Utd'
Klopp expects more twists in the title race. All three teams are yet to face Tottenham Hotspur, while Arsenal travel to Man Utd in the penultimate week of the season.
The Liverpool manager says, however, that Arsenal will "100 per cent" beat Man Utd if the Red Devils play like they did against Liverpool, when they conceded 28 shots.
"It’s for us much more difficult than for all other teams. You usually come to United and people care a little bit more or a little bit less but when we are coming it’s obviously game on, so that’s tricky," he said.
"We dealt quite well with it, we played now two games and got one point and got knocked out [of the FA Cup] but in all the time since I am here, I don’t think we ever dominated United like we did in these two games. But we didn’t get the result so that’s then how it is, so obviously there is space for improvement. We knew that anyway and we will keep going with all we have, but now we play Europa League.
"If we are still around [in the title race in Matchweek 37] that will be great. Arsenal are a good team. If Man Utd play like they did today, Arsenal will win that game. I'm 100 per cent sure. I'm really sorry to say but it's a matter of fact. We should have won both games [against Man Utd] and we didn't. That's our fault."
