Defeats ‘not a real problem’ insists Jurgen Klopp
January 12, 2019
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool must forget about recent defeats to Manchester City and Wolves and get back on track by defeating Brighton on Saturday.
Responding to being told this is the smallest-ever points gap at the top of the table at this stage of a Premier League season, the Liverpool manager insisted he is happy with where his team sits.
They lost their unbeaten league record in a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City to begin the new year and it was back-to-back 2019 losses when a shadow side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Wolves on Monday. It is not, says Klopp, a reason to panic and stats from the past are to be forgotten.
“Statistics from the past have no relevance in the present. We don’t think about last season or 20 years ago,” he said.
“This is our season. It’s really good so far. Now we have to carry on. “Two weeks ago everyone was so excited about the distance between (us and City). Now we have lost two games, not nice but not a real problem.”
Brighton boss Chris Hughton has been hailing Virgil van Dijk as one of the best defenders in the world but Klopp say the towering Dutchman has plenty room for more progress in his game after a year as a Liverpool player.
“He has so many things already good and so many he can still improve. Most important that he is fit. It’s all good,” Klopp added.
“I think much more positively about my players than I talk to you about them. “He can play until he’s 39 or so and there is a lot to come. He has outstanding potential.”
Liverpool are 1.30 to get back to winning ways at Brighton on Saturday. The Seagulls are 9.50 to consign their visitors to three straight losses, with the draw at the Amex Stadium 5.25.
