Klopp hopes to rediscover the old Liverpool as title challenge falters

LONDON: Liverpool need to rediscover their old selves, manager Juergen Klopp said on Friday as he conceded that his side were unlikely to end the season as Premier League champions after a slump in form reduced the title battle to a two-horse race.

Liverpool, who visit West Ham United on Saturday, have won one of their last four league games and Klopp, who will step down at the end of the season, said he was responsible for the “mood” in his squad.

A 2-0 loss at Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday inflicted a massive blow to Liverpool’s hopes of winning the league with the club third in the standings, three points adrift of leaders Arsenal with four games remaining.

Manchester City climbed to within a point of the Gunners following Thursday’s victory over Brighton & Hove Albion and have a game in hand. “I am responsible for the mood and I wouldn’t say we are in the best place now, we lost the decisive battles at Goodison Park, really bad,” Klopp told reporters.

Asked about his side’s loosening grip on the title, Klopp said: “I am pretty sure City and Arsenal see it as a two-horse race. They might say something differently publicly but I don’t expect them to lose two games.”

“I don’t expect them to lose. We have to be there if they do. Let’s start by winning against West Ham. They lost their last game too, so they have to show a reaction and we have to as well.”

Klopp added that he would do what he could to take the pressure off his squad and took responsibility for the players not feeling they could perform at their best. “We don’t want to feel the pressure for whatever reason. The boys are incredible players and it is my job to create an atmosphere where they can be the best version of themselves. And that is where I have failed.”