Jurgen Klopp defends Liverpool’s recent slump in form as he insists claims his Premier League champions should’ve won EVERY game they failed to in December is a ‘bit cheeky’ after Roy Keane criticised them by saying they’ve got ‘sloppy’
- Liverpool slipped up in recent games against Fulham, West Brom and Newcastle
- Pundit Roy Keane said Jurgen Klopp’s men have been sloppy in recent weeks
- The Liverpool boss fired back by insisting they are still top and in good shape
- Klopp’s men can create some breathing space by beating Southampton tonight
Jurgen Klopp has launched an impassioned defence of his Liverpool side’s recent dip in form, insisting it is a ‘bit cheeky’ to have expected victory in every game across December.
Liverpool have come in for criticism in recent weeks after slipping up against Fulham, West Brom and Newcastle with Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane claiming they’ve got ‘sloppy’.
Despite drawing all three of those games, Klopp’s side are still top of the Premier League though Manchester United are now hot on their tails with only goal difference separating them.
Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool are still in a good position despite their recent slump in form
Klopp admitted his team could have performed better in attacking areas but insists their recent results are no reason to push the panic button.
‘We are still top of the table, we are not lying and top of the table is great and we’ll use it as a basis for the rest of the season,’ the Liverpool boss said.
‘In one or two games, we didn’t create enough so maybe Fulham was a game like this, West Brom in the second half was a game like this.
‘Now against Newcastle for example we created enough to win the game, not easily but the amount of chances was there for winning the game but we didn’t and so we have to deal with that.
The Reds’ draw at Newcastle was the seventh league match they have failed to win this season
Roy Keane called Liverpool ‘sloppy’ after slip ups against Fulham, West Brom and Newcastle
‘And then people tell us after a few weeks your away form is not that good and you think really? Saying now that we should have won all the games that we didn’t win but that is a bit cheeky I say because we have to accept the results we produced and try to win the next.’
Although former Manchester United midfielder Keane felt that Liverpool had taken their eye off the ball, he is still backing Klopp’s men to be champions again come the end of the season.
He said: ‘Liverpool are the strongest, they’ve been slacking off, a bit sloppy. United have sorted out their home form. Tottenham had a good home win yesterday. You can’t write Man City off.
‘We’ve criticised them recently because they’ve set such high standards over the years. But there are five to six teams who can challenge.
‘[United], if they keep winning football matches. We were really critical at the start of the season. Their home form was so bad, it was shocking. Some of their performances and results.
‘But away from home they were fantastic. Even their last few victories, a bit of luck – penalty against Villa, injury-time winner against Wolves. They’ll be getting confidence and belief they can at least challenge Liverpool.
‘I’m still sticking with Liverpool. I think United are doing really well. It’s the most exciting league we’ve had for years. I think Liverpool are just going to edge City.’
Liverpool will look to get back to winning ways on Monday night when they travel to high-flying Southampton in a tricky test.
Klopp said they must accept the results they’ve produced and try to beat Southampton tonight
