08 April 2023 , 21:30
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Jurgen Klopp wouldn’t have expected Liverpool’s season to unravel quite as spectacularly when he boasted last summer about having some of the world’s best players.
But as well as hyping up his squad to make yet another bid for glory after a year which had seen them come so tantalisingly close to making Quadruple history, there was also a warning that has indeed come to pass.
“We have got all that we need,” said the Kop boss. “It’s all there, we just need to use it in the right way.
“We have four of the best centre-backs in the world, the best left and right-backs - and I haven’t spoken yet about the goalie.
“So basis is there. But the opponents didn’t sleep so they will improve as well.
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“We don’t expect that just because we were close last year that this year we will win it.”
Manchester City were the team Klopp had in mind when he spoke about the challenge Liverpool faced after Pep Guardiola added Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Kalvin Phillips to his squad.
But while the reigning champions remain in the mix to win a third successive title, they must overhaul an Arsenal team that has emerged thrillingly from the chasing pack.
Arsenal won the league in dramatic fashion at Anfield in 1989 (Mirrorpix)Anfield will always have a special place in Gunners’ hearts because of the drama of George Graham’s side’s monumental title win there in 1989.
But Mikel Arteta was in Arsenal’s midfield the last time they took home a Premier League point from Liverpool in 2016.
They haven’t won there in the Premier League for almost 11 years.
And Klopp is looking for a response from his team.
Liverpool played out a goalless draw at Chelsea on Tuesday (Getty Images)Liverpool began erasing their Etihad embarrassment by forcing a goalless draw at Chelsea in midweek when Klopp made six changes to his team.
And while the Reds’ manager does not want to put excessive pressure on his players as he looks to rebuild a confidence that has been shattered by nine Premier League defeats and a Champions League mauling by Real Madrid, the reality is that some are playing for the futures while others will already know that they will be elsewhere next season.
Klopp said: “I don’t want to open that box now.
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“When I am asked about Trent Alexander-Arnold and I say he didn’t perform well, something is made of it.
“But you could ask me about pretty much everybody.
“I will not go tell you who will play every week and stuff like this because there might be injuries and that type of thing.
“But it is always based on performing in games. If you perform well, or extremely well, you have a very good chance to stay in the team.
“That’s how it is and always was. Sometimes you force yourself to make a decision if you think ‘he needs a rest.’
“But because we are in no more cup competitions, we only have one more week with three games and after Arsenal we have eight days before the next game.
“So a lot of training is possible now - but if you perform on Sunday on your best best level, then that has a massive influence.”