Jurgen Klopp’s comments on Liverpool not defending title come back to haunt him

Liverpool's chances of defending the Premier League title appear to be over following their 3-1 defeat to Leicester City on Saturday.

The loss at the King Power Stadium means the Reds are winless in their last three games in a row.

And they are now 13 points behind leaders Manchester City having played a match more.

When asked if he now conceded the title at full-time, Klopp replied: "Yes. I can't believe it, but yes. I don't think we can close the gap this year, to be honest."

It seems almost unfathomable how quickly Liverpool have fallen from grace since they romped to success in the 2019-20 campaign.

Yet Klopp's comments after his team sealed first place last season now appear to have been a sign of things to come.

The German manager seemed wary when asked about his ambitions going forward, and was conscious of the fact that this would be a much more difficult season for his side.

"We will not defend the title next season; we'll attack the next one," he said in July.

"I have learned when you think you have reached the pinnacle, you are already on the way down."

And he also correctly identified Manchester City as the team who would be most dangerous, with Pep Guardiola and his players starting to build a strong lead at the top.

"City will be strong next season, [Manchester] United will be strong next season, Chelsea will be strong," Klopp continued.

"It's obvious City is an outstanding team, United is in outstanding shape and Chelsea is in a really good shape and doing some interesting business."

Liverpool's priority now appears to simply be securing a Champions League qualification spot.

And they will slip out of the top four on Monday night if Chelsea beat Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool will next turn their attentions to European football, however, as they take on RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.

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