Premier League: Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC seek redemption as they face Chelsea | Football News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Premier League: Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC seek redemption as they face Chelsea

London | ByAFP
Jan 31, 2017 11:25 AM IST

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC will be looking to revive their Premier League title hopes when they take on table toppers Chelsea on Wednesday.

For the first time since he arrived at Liverpool FC, Jurgen Klopp is in the midst of a crisis to the extent that a win on Tuesday at home to Premier League leaders Chelsea is obligatory.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC will play Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday.(REUTERS)
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC will play Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday.(REUTERS)

The 49-year-old charismatic German -- who replaced Brendan Rodgers in November 2015 -- has seen his side knocked out of two Cup competitions inside a week and a further loss to Chelsea FC would be the first time since 1923 they have lost four successive games at Anfield and only the second time in their 125-year history.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

However victory over Antonio Conte’s side would reduce the gap between them to seven points whilst should Arsenal beat out of form Watford and their north London rivals Spurs beat bottom side Sunderland they would be just five and six points off the leaders respectively.

Klopp, though, accepts some confidence has seeped away from his side with just one win in eight games in January and the free-flowing, eye-catching football they were playing seems a distant memory.

“We spoke about confidence a few months ago and I said it’s a little flower,” said Klopp, who hopes to have joint-top scorer Sadio Mane at the very least on the bench after he returned from Africa Cup of Natins duty with Senegal.

“If something bounces on it, then it’s away. Obviously, that happened kind of, but it’s not that we play without confidence.

“I can see a lot of moments when we really still believe in our skills and all that stuff. So we don’t have to make it too big, but it’s not that difficult.

“It’s not that I say there’s no chance until Tuesday to make a real turn.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte with defender Gary Cahill. (REUTERS)
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte with defender Gary Cahill. (REUTERS)

“Somebody asked me a second ago if this is the lowest point of my Liverpool time until now -- I don’t know. But if it is, it’s the perfect point to turn because it’s not possible to go lower. That’s all we have to think about now.

“It is a home game against the leader of the league and we need everyone for the game.”

Conte’s side arrive bursting with confidence and with the Italian hoping to deal a huge mental blow to his opponents.

Since they lost consecutive Premier League games to Liverpool and Arsenal in September, they have won 17 of 19 games in all competitions since but perhaps face a pivotal week as regards the title race with Tuesday’s game followed by a home match with Arsenal.

“It could be a hard hit mentally for them (if Liverpool lose to Chelsea),” said Conte on Monday.

“It’s important to win this type of game, increase your confidence, take three points from a rival,”

Catch all the Latest Football matches score updates alongwith EPL 2024 Schedule , ISL 2024 Schedule and other related updates on ISL 2024 Points table on The Hindustan Times website and App
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On