Jurgen Klopp Tells Liverpool Players to 'Fasten the Seatbelts' for Title Race
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has urged his players to "fasten the seatbelts" as they gear up for an intense Premier League title race run-in.
The Reds can regain top spot from Manchester City on Saturday with a win at home to Bournemouth before City face Chelsea on Sunday.
Per the Mirror's Chris McKenna, Klopp is anticipating a difficult title race:
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"I knew this would be a really tough race and here we are. Make yourself ready. Fasten the seatbelts and let’s go.
"The reality is if you want to be champion in the league you have to fight until the last match day. That is completely normal and what we have to do.
"To be in that fight is very positive—a big achievement—and we have to make sure the people see that again. That is the plan."
Per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, he added:
City pulled level on points with Liverpool on Wednesday courtesy of their 2-0 win over Everton, and thanks to their superior goal difference, they leapfrogged the Reds into first place.
Liverpool have a game in hand, though, and they can put the pressure back on the Sky Blues with a victory on Saturday, which would be their 20th of the campaign from 26 matches.
The Reds have stumbled with consecutive draws in their past two games, but football writer Leanne Prescott does not believe they are caving under the pressure:
While Liverpool have dropped points recently, City have also been below their best. Having lost just twice in the Premier League last season, they suffered three defeats in December alone before slipping up again at the hands of Newcastle United in January, with the Magpies coming from behind to win 2-1.
Given the Reds are bidding to win their first league title in 29 years, there is perhaps more pressure on them than there is on defending champions City.
Although there's a long way to go in the title race—and Liverpool have to travel to Old Trafford later in February to face Manchester United—a win at home to Bournemouth on Saturday could be a timely confidence-booster.
