LONDON • Jurgen Klopp has issued the magic number of "90-something" points if Liverpool are to lift the Premier League title this season and end 29 years of hurt.
He set the target after the Reds' late rally at Southampton to secure a 3-1 victory on Friday, re-establishing a two-point advantage at the top of the table over defending champions Manchester City.
It was far from easy for Klopp's men, who were rarely at their best at St Mary's after being confronted by awkward opponents, but it is nights like these that will only pep belief the long wait is almost over.
In this tussle at the top, they will not be the first to blink after Mohamed Salah's first goal since mid-February and Jordan Henderson in the last 10 minutes sealed the win.
Shane Long had grabbed the opener, only for Naby Keita to equalise with his maiden strike since joining Liverpool.
Purring after a "brilliant" comeback, Klopp, who joined in the celebrations after the final whistle, said: "We have 82 points, that is massive in this crazy league and everyone is waiting for us (to slip up). I am really proud. It is incredible.
"It is a difficult year for everybody, you'll need to have 70 to 75 points to qualify for the Champions League. But we are still in the race and that is nice.
LIVERPOOL'S SEASON IN NUMBERS
20Â
Goals in the final 15 minutes of games this season, more than any other Premier League side.16Â
Points gained from losing positions, also more than any other side.82Â
Points is Liverpool's highest tally after 33 games.38
Away points (W11 D5 L1), the best haul ahead of Tottenham's 33.16Â
Matches unbeaten at their Anfield home this season (W14 D 2).
"They deserved their early goal but we adjusted to the situation, stayed calm and waited for our moment. We had to be more lively in the second half, when Trent Alexander-Arnold and Georginio Wijnaldum were struggling with the intensity of the season.
"But James Milner and Henderson came on, brought aggressiveness - verbal aggressiveness - and we had direction again after that."
The two substitutions were highlighted by pundit and former Reds defender Jamie Carragher, who told Sky Sports they were "massive" and "a great decision" at a point when their "passing at times in the game was a bit too slow".
While the Liverpool boss admitted the performance was "not at the top level", Klopp praised his side for showing grit, insisting that "at this stage, it is about fighting".
PREMIER LEAGUE 2018-19 TITLE RUN-IN
LIVERPOOLÂ
APRIL 14 Chelsea (h)Â
APRIL 21 Cardiff (a)
APRIL 26 Huddersfield (h)
MAY 5 Newcastle (a)Â
MAY 12 Wolves (h)ÂMAN CITYÂ
APRIL 14 Crystal Palace (a)Â
APRIL 20 Tottenham (h)Â
APRIL 24 Man United (a)Â
APRIL 28 Burnley (a)Â
MAY 4 Leicester (h)Â
MAY 12 Brighton (a)
Declaring his team "will play our own football" as they enter the home stretch with five games remaining, the German said: "People want us to play like Manchester City but we are unable to do that.
"I told the boys we have a good mentality among us. We were well-organised, we pressed high and were everywhere on the pitch."
He also hailed Salah, who had been questioned before the match, claiming his class was "never in doubt", adding: "It was goal number 50 I heard for Liverpool, that's an incredible number.
"As a striker, you have chances and each striker is a human being. Maybe you have better moments and less good moments.
"But he's pretty consistent, his physical things are always there. He always stayed calm to deal with the situation."
And defender Virgil van Dijk, who was again a rock on his return to his former club, fired a warning to the rest of the teams that have yet to play Liverpool this term, starting with Chelsea next Sunday, that "with the players we have, with the way we play, we are always going to be dangerous with".
NO LETTING OFF
We've got to win every game. This was very big. Every game is massive. It was a big performance in the second half and a big result.
JORDAN HENDERSON , Liverpool captain, calling on his men to seize their chance of ending their league title drought.
KUDOS, GUYS
We have 82 points, that is massive in this crazy league and everyone is waiting for us (to slip up). I am really proud. It is incredible.
JURGEN KLOPP , Liverpool manager, purring after his side's brilliant comeback.
He added: "I do enjoy it (the pressure), obviously, I do not like conceding, but we showed character. The most important thing is to just keep on doing what we've been doing all season."
Henderson agreed with his teammate's assertion that their battling qualities were for all to see, before calling on the squad to make a final push and give the red half of Merseyside the present they have long desired.
It has been an unrelenting campaign with plenty of drama - the title lead has changed hands 25 times this season, the joint second most in a campaign since 1945.
But, with the finish line in sight, Henderson stressed this was a golden chance for his team.
The skipper, who scored his first goal of the campaign, said: "We've got to win every game. It was a big performance in the second half and a big result.
"I haven't got in those positions often this season because I've been in a deeper role. The manager felt I could get in the final-third positions more. No matter what happens in the game, we still fight right until the very end.
"That is what we have been doing for a long time now, and we need to keep that mentality going and not stopping until that final whistle goes."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN
You can learn a lot when a small delegation of highly-trusted testers inspects your brave new world for the very first time. Insights tumble from their unspoiled, eager minds like the luminous heaps of loot that litter the ground after a hearty battle.
Super Rugby: Chiefs' fate virtually in their own hands as
Read Destiny Beckons (1) (on hold at the moment) from the story Destiny Beckons by mysticj with 119 reads. mystery, teen, fantasy. Well hope you all enjoy this
Destiny Beckons On Senator Bukola Saraki As Next Senate
May 17, 2015 - Destiny Beckons On Senator Bukola Saraki As Next Senate President The National Youths Mobilizer and APC Supporters' Group which comprises of Mallam Muhammed Mudi, Mr. Abdul, Jamiul and Mr. Lawal in a joint statement have endorsed and throw their weight behind the emergence of Senator Saraki bids for Senate President seat.
Gotham Hearts Chapter 18: Destiny Beckons, a Batman - FanFiction
via @YouTube"
Destiny Beckons (1) (on hold at the moment) - Wattpad
To find streamers for Destiny, see our Community Streamer Page. No advertising, selling, trying to buy, trading, or begging. Any user who wishes to make a giveaway, contest (with prizes), or charity post must receive approval from moderators BEFORE making the post.
Cliftonville pair Liam Boyce and Conor Devlin aim to secure the Premiership title in Saturday's clash against Linfield at Solitude. The Reds will secure the Gibson Cup if they beat the reigning
Destiny | Reddit
With the ground shaking, it wasn't a particularly good idea to take the Batmobile. Batman, Red Robin and Robin piled into the Batwing, while Nightwing, Red Hood, Sora and Riku went for the Batboat. The ocean around Gotham would still be difficult to navigate, but much easier than trying to drive a car in a straight line.
Premiership glory beckons for Reds duo - BBC Sport
The latest Tweets from Destiny Beckons (@DestinyBeck0ns): "The IGN First Game for July is Destiny:
. Destiny Beckons
This feature is not available right now. Please try again later.
Destiny Beckons (@DestinyBeck0ns) | Twitter
With a bonus-point win over the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday night, the Chiefs are all but certain to secure their spot in the Super Rugby playoffs. Someway, somehow, in this weekend's final
Lady in red tipped to advance to Eurovision final where
cphpost.dk/news/lady-in-red-tipped-to-advance-to-eurovision-final-where-destiny-beckons.html
Lady in red tipped to advance to Eurovision final where destiny beckons. Anja Nissen, an Australian-born singer to Danish parents who won that country's third season of 'The Voice', is strongly tipped to advance to Saturday's final. Anja was an easy winner of the Danish contest (photo: Wouter van Vliet, EuroVisionary)
DESTINY BECKONS - YouTube
0 comments:
Post a Comment