MY ACCOUNT
Jurgen Klopp has effectively conceded defeat in the Premier League title race following Liverpool’s underwhelming start to the season.
The Reds went into the weekend ninth in the table and will finish Sunday in the bottom half if they lose to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Klopp’s side have taken just 10 points from their opening seven league outings, winning only twice, and neither of those wins were in their three away games.
Not since the 2010-11 season under Roy Hodgson have the Reds failed to win any of their first four matches away from Anfield in the league.
They will do well to beat an Arsenal side who have won seven out of a possible eight fixtures to this point.
Despite Arsenal’s strong start, Manchester City are most people’s strong favourites for the title, particularly given Erling Haaland’s form.
Even if Liverpool win at Arsenal, they will need to make up a 10-point deficit on City – whom they face next weekend – and Klopp seemed to accept that is not going to happen.
“We still have the chance to create something really special from this point,” he said ahead of the game.
“Does it look at the moment that we will be champions at the end of the year? Unfortunately not.”
Klopp added: “But in all other competitions we’re not out yet.
“Nobody knows where we will end up in the league yet so let’s just give it a go, that’s it.
“Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. That’s enough. So let’s just go from here.
“Did I think we’d be ninth after matchday seven? No, but this is the base where are now and we must go from here.”
Liverpool have won their previous four league matches against Arsenal, but they have never beaten the Gunners fives times in a row.
