Klopp highlights Chelsea as title favorite

REUTERS: Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp stated that Chelsea are the favorites to lift the Premier League title this season due to the strength and depth of the team that manager Frank Lampard has at his disposal.

Lampard has overseen a team rebuild at Chelsea that cost around 220 million pounds ($ 295.64 million) in the summer transfer window, and after a rocky start, the team is on a 16-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Leeds United at Stamford Bridge brought Chelsea to the top of the league table with 22 points, beating Tottenham Hotspur and defending champion Liverpool with 21 each, and they will play on Sunday.

“If I watch football matches at the moment, then Chelsea, to me, looks like a favorite,” Klopp told reporters before Liverpool’s home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“They have the biggest team, great players playing well together after a rusty start, and they are full.

“They have incredible opportunities to switch in games and make changes from game to game, so that’s it.”

While Liverpool were six points clear at the top this stage last season, this season they have had to deal with a congested match roster and various injury setbacks.

Klopp said this season’s title race would be more open than in previous seasons, but stressed that Liverpool should remain focused only on their own performances.

“I don’t feel like we are chasing anyone at the moment, or that no one is chasing us,” said the German coach. “The pressure is there for us, but it’s about how much you think about that pressure, to be honest.”

(US $ 1 = 0.7442 pounds)

(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Edited by Clarence Fernandez)