Klopp: We're focused on points, not the league table
Jürgen Klopp is paying little attention to the tightness at the top of the Premier League, with the boss insisting his focus never wavers from Liverpool’s next opponents.
A single point separates the division’s top five clubs after nine games of the season, with the Reds currently sitting third, behind Manchester City and Arsenal on goal difference only.
Klopp’s side are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League outings, with their sole defeat in 12 games in all competitions so far this term coming at Burnley over two months ago.
At this afternoon’s press conference to preview Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace, Klopp was asked whether the ability of several teams to be involved in the title race is something unique to the English top flight.
And the manager was quick to emphasise the need to give each and every game his full attention.
“In Spain at the moment it is really close too, but yeah it’s a specific thing of England,” the manager replied.
“Usually, in most of the most of the [Premier League] seasons, then I think at a lot of times it was tight. We have not to think about it, we only have to collect points and think about your own situation - the rest is not important.
“You always have a difficult opponent to play, you need your full concentration and that’s what we try to do.”
LFCTV GO: Klopp's pre-Crystal Palace press conference
Liverpool’s strong start to the season has led to a swell in the optimism and belief surrounding the club.
Klopp was also quizzed on whether increasing levels of enthusiasm was part of his plan before he took charge at Anfield a little over a year ago.
“I had no plan when I came in, actually. Not a real plan. It was really quick between the first call and them [the owners] making the decision so there was no time to make plans,” he said.
“There are more important things outside there than football, [although] it might not look like it most of the time! One reason for football is we can win together, sometimes we have to lose together, but what’s always possible is to have an optimistic view of the future if you want.
“Maybe you have to change your mind a little bit about the past, at the moment I think that’s more important.
“What I feel, that’s good. There is a positive atmosphere in and around Melwood or Liverpool and that’s good and how football should be. It’s not cool if you think about football you should be 20 per cent more upset than before!
“You should feel better when you think about your team - that’s our job to do. We are optimistic, that’s right, but that’s all.”