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Klopp’s focus is not on City
Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool’s focus remains on winning games and not chasing down Premier League leaders Manchester City.
The Reds hammered Leeds 6-0 at Anfield last night to move within three points of City.
But Klopp, who takes his side to Wembley on Sunday for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, will not be drawn into talk of a title battle.
He said: “We don’t chase City, we try to win our football games.
“Obviously we have our cup final at the weekend. City play before and they might win, so it [the lead] could be six points again before we next play.
“I’m not sure whether we play before or after them in the game after, so it might be nine points all of a sudden.
“We don’t have to count these kind of things, we just have to win our football games. Do we do it on the front foot? Yes.”
A Pat on the back for Zaha
Patrick Vieira believes Wilfried Zaha’s performance as Crystal Palace won 4-1 at Watford last night was his best this season.
Zaha, 29, netted twice at Vicarage Road to pile the pressure on former Palace boss Roy Hodgson.
The defeat leaves the Hornets firmly rooted in the Premier League’s bottom three while Vieira’s men are sitting pretty in mid-table.
And the Frenchman could not be happier with Zaha’s contribution to the cause.
He said: “People will talk about the two goals he scored and I think it was fantastic for the team, but what I loved about Wilfried was his work ethic.
“The way he supported Tyrick [Mitchell], how he made it really difficult for Watford to build on their right-hand side. Out of possession it was I believe his best game since I’ve been here.
“I think he had a really complete game. From the start to the end he was really concentrated and focused on his defensive duty and that allowed him to score those goals.
“Scoring goals is something he’s been doing for years and years, but I really loved his performance out of possession.”
Saint no doubt this one is crucial
Dean Smith has reminded his Norwich troops of the importance of beating Southampton tomorrow night.
The Premier League basement boys head to the in-form Saints knowing another defeat will severely dent their survival hopes.
Speaking ahead of the game at St Mary’s, Smith said: “We won’t underestimate the quality Southampton have got, but we’ve got to make sure our performance levels are really high.”
Taxi for Antonio?
Tottenham could end up looking for their third manager this season after Antonio Conte’s stunning admission last night.
Following the high of winning 3-2 at champions Manchester City last Saturday, Spurs slipped to a 1-0 defeat against struggling Burnley at Turf Moor.
The defeat was their fourth in five Premier League games and left Conte questioning his position.
With the North Londoners seven points off the top four, the deflated Italian said: “I am really sorry for the fans, I am really sorry because I think they don’t deserve this.
“But when you lose four out of five it means the club have to make an assessment, also to speak together, and to understand which is the best solution.
“I came here to help the club. If the problem could be the coach, I’m ready to go, no problem.
“I think we are doing everything to try to improve the situation, but maybe it is not enough. It is very frustrating, this is the first time it has ever happened in my life. Maybe I am not so good.
“I hate to lose and we lost four out of five games. For me, I repeat, this is unacceptable.”
Conte, 52, only replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last November.
Bantams turn to Sparky
Away from the Premier League, former Wales boss Mark Hughes has taken charge of League Two Bradford.
Hughes, who has also managed Manchester City, Southampton and Blackburn, said: “I am really pleased to be here and am looking forward to the role and the job in hand. It has been an exciting few days.
“It is maybe a little bit of a surprise that I have come in, but do not be put off by that!
“I am here to make Bradford a team people want to come and watch — and are proud to watch.
“We just want to finish strongly and see where that takes us. We want to move the club and everybody with it forward.”
Hughes, 58, has been handed a deal until the summer of 2024. He takes charge with Bradford sitting 15th in the table on 40 points.
