Jurgen Klopp is baffled by suggestions his Liverpool side now have ‘something to lose’ as they continue to challenge domestically and in Europe.
Klopp believes a lack of expectation at the start of the season should mean they view a Premier League title tilt as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League as a surprise rather than approach it with an element of nervousness.
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Liverpool take on Atalanta in the first leg of their last-eight tie tonight, four days after a 2-2 draw at Manchester United that saw them relinquish top spot in the Premier League to Arsenal.
They have already won the EFL Cup, beating Chelsea in the final, but exited the FA Cup against United last month.
Speaking ahead of the Atalanta game, Klopp told TNT Sports: “Before the season nobody expected us to be where we are now, that is the truth.
“I don’t think anyone said ‘let’s see what Liverpool will do’ after the season we played and with a lot of new players coming in. Nobody knew how it would work out.
“Now being in it and, all of a sudden, getting handed the role that we have something to lose. I don’t understand it. You can’t be the challengers and no-one expects you to be there and you are there and, all of a sudden, you can lose it. That makes no sense.”
“At the season’s start, nobody saw us as contenders, and now we’re told we have everything to lose. I don’t understand it.”
Jurgen Klopp shares his thoughts on the current title race and whether Europe can be a good distraction from all that noise 🔊#UEL pic.twitter.com/viIbLIKFUx
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 11, 2024
Klopp now views Sunday’s draw at Old Trafford as a point gained which keeps Liverpool firmly in a three-horse race that also includes the Gunners and defending champions Manchester City.
He added: “The United game, strange times…we have gone there in the last three weeks twice and played two really good games and we don’t win, one we lose. That’s how football is.
“It’s just a game and we got a point. We’d still be in the title race if we had lost. After the game it felt like we lost two points but it’s a point gained but now it’s a different competition. It’s not a distraction, it’s another focus.”
Klopp will walk away from Anfield at the end of the season and is relishing what lies ahead over the coming weeks.
“For a long time, we were in four competitions, now we have two left but they are intense,” he said.
“Let’s see what we can make of it. I am very happy with the situation we are in in the league and in Europe. Exciting, challenging but positive as well.”
