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Jurgen Klopp admitted that Liverpool’s hopes for the Premier League title have been dashed after a self-inflicted 3-1 loss at Leicester City on Saturday.
Now, with just two wins in 10 league games, the champions capitulated in the final 12 minutes at King Power Stadium, giving away three quick goals and falling in a third straight league loss.
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It’s the first time they’ve had such a streak in the league since 2014, when he was coached by Brendan Rodgers. They hadn’t even lost back-to-back league games to Klopp until last Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Manchester City.
Liverpool are now 13 points behind the top, having played one more match than leaders City, and the German believes the gap is now insurmountable.
When asked if he would concede the title this season, Klopp replied: “Yes. I can’t believe it, but yes.”
“I don’t think we can close that gap this year. We have to win football games. Today was really good in some parts. We have to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings.
“We have to take steps, act again and the results are related to that. We are good enough to win it. [the title], for long periods, but not until the end. “
Defensive weaknesses were once again his downfall. Much has been made of Liverpool’s injury problems at the back, but in the space of a week, the normally dependable starting goalkeeper Alisson has been extremely wrong.
It was two regrettable passes from Alisson that cost Liverpool last weekend. This time, three minutes after Leicester canceled Salah’s first goal, the Brazilian international’s decision to step outside his goal led to Jamie Vardy turning the game around.
“Alisson had a super game and then at that point he came out. I didn’t hear him scream,” Klopp added.
“We don’t look for excuses. A lot of things happen. We should have done better. We talk about it, right now, it’s difficult. The only way out is to play football well, fight and work hard.”
Liverpool have already conceded 32 goals in 24 league games this season, just one less than in the entire 2019-20 season.
Injuries have certainly not helped things, but mistakes like Alisson’s in recent weeks are unforgivable at this level.
The Merseysiders had to wait 30 years to win the title last season. However, their hopes of retaining the top flight crown for the first time since 1984 now seem hopeless, with City looking back on their best empire.
Reuters was used in this report.
