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Jurgen Klopp insists he is “full of energy” and does not need a break from football amid a difficult period for the Liverpool manager on and off the field.
Klopp led Liverpool to their first Premier League title last season, but believes the champions’ hopes of retaining the trophy are ended after Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Leicester.
Liverpool have lost three consecutive league games for the first time since November 2014 and are 13 points behind leaders Manchester City, who are one game short.
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FREE TO SEE: Highlights of Leicester’s victory over Liverpool in the Premier League
Some reports on social media claimed that Klopp could walk away from the club after Leicester’s defeat, but the 53-year-old, whose mother Elisabeth recently passed away at age 81, dismissed the suggestion that he might resign.
“I don’t need a break,” he said. “Look, the last thing I want to do is talk about private things in a press conference, but everyone knows in private that we had a bad time, that was not just more than three weeks, it was for much longer and we always dealt with him as a family .
“I have worked in football for 30 years and as a coach for 20 years. I can divide things and disconnect. I do not carry things. If I am private, I am private, if I am football.” and in my workplace, then I am here.
“Of course, we are influenced by the things that happen around us, but nobody has to worry about me. I may not see me like that because the weather is not good, my beard turns more and more gray, yes, I do not sleep much but I’m full of energy. The situation is challenging. I see it as an interesting challenge. “
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Klopp admits Liverpool’s hopes of defending the Premier League title have come to an end following their 3-1 loss at Leicester
Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool boss in 2015 and signed a contract extension until 2024 in December 2019, six months after winning the Champions League.
Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years soon followed, but Klopp’s team is now 30 points behind at the same stage last season, the biggest drop by any reigning champion in top flight history, following a streak of two wins in his previous 10. Premier League games.
Klopp added: “We will solve this challenge by playing football and fighting with everything we have. That is the plan we have.
“Obviously, a lot of people are not happy with the results, I understand it and I am responsible for that, but we have still played some pretty good things. You (the media) can forget that, but we cannot because that is the beginning of change. [our fortunes].
“It’s a huge challenge. I’m ready, the guys are ready and we will give absolutely everything to solve this. I am very grateful for all the support, but nobody has to worry about me.
Saturday February 20 5:00 pm
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Klopp: Keita training but not ready
Liverpool will face RB Leipzig in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday in Budapest due to coronavirus restrictions in Germany.
Klopp will once again be without a number of first-team players due to injury, but midfielder Naby Keita, while unavailable to face his former club, has returned to training after being out since December.
“Naby is no longer injured, but he’s not in shape yet,” Klopp said. “He was training yesterday, but it’s still not enough. We will be out for two days and he will be training; it’s better than flying with us. Of course Naby would have liked to be there when it comes against Leipzig.”
Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has returned to training but is not ready to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League
“He has had some very good moments, but obviously it has to be said that he has also had too many injuries, which has not helped much, but he has played some really good games for us and scored important goals. He contributed to our success last year; he was always involved despite injuries.
“These were unfortunate moments when you look at his injuries, they were just minor things [ruled] him off the team. But he has an excellent perspective and is a great player.
“In terms of injuries, we all have to go through these difficulties and once that is behind you, we will have another absolutely great player.”
Liverpool will play RB Leipzig in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday before hosting Everton of Merseyside in the Premier League on Saturday. Sky sports from 5pm; Start 17.30 h.
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