Klopp defies the odds to make Liverpool emerge as title challengers

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Jurgen Klopp led Liverpool to a complete collection of top trophies from 2019-22, so it should be no surprise to see him back in contention for the English Premier League (EPL) title this season.

Yet, even with his record, Liverpool's resurgence seems to have come from nowhere.

"It's like nobody expected us there. I didn't think about it. I thought it was possible but didn't think about it," Klopp said after Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.

It is a measure of Liverpool's form that a point against their fiercest rival was greeted with disappointment. The draw ended the Merseyside club's 100 per cent 11-game winning run at Anfield this season and saw them drop to second in the table as Arsenal moved a point clear at the top.

But a title challenge never looked likely for Liverpool, who were in disarray last season and were expected to go through a transition period.

Having been in contention for a clean sweep of trophies until the final two games two seasons ago, Liverpool ended up empty-handed a year later and failed to qualify for the Champions League.

With star players like Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson, and Roberto Firmino having departed, Klopp has had to embark on a hasty rebuild, with doubts about his ability to recruit players of the quality of many who left.

It remains to be seen if his current squad can come close to emulating that success, but just one defeat in the league, while Liverpool are also still in contention in all their other cup competitions, is cause for optimism.

And in a season when Manchester City's title defence is faltering after a run of one win in six games in the league, Klopp is the only challenger to have experience of overcoming Pep Guardiola.

Not that the German is thinking about the title race yet.

"I couldn't be interested, to be honest," he said. "I am happy we are in the area where we are, and I don't know why we open that discussion, this bottle, this early. It's December, it's the toughest period of the year. Everybody has to get through it somehow, everybody has to dig deep to get through it. When you are still in the cup competitions, then that makes life not easier.

"So, get through this and open your eyes again in April and look where you are, and then I am more than happy to discuss that, absolutely."

Klopp won the German league in 2011 and 2012 with Borussia Dortmund and the EPL in 2020.

He has been involved in enough title challenges to know how to manage the pressure of being in the thick of the battle. That might give him the edge over league leaders Arsenal and third-place Aston Villa, who are emerging as a surprise challenger.

His comments after the United game felt like an attempt to control expectations in a manner that perhaps Mikel Arteta did not when Arsenal suffered a late-season collapse last term after leading the table for 248 days.

Liverpool's home game against Arsenal on Saturday will be the latest test of both teams' title credentials.

CITY SLUMP

City have hit a mid-season slump that has seen them drop to fourth after four draws and a loss in their last six games. A 2-1 win at relegation-fighting Luton was their only victory during the damaging run.

Last season's treble winners are taking a break from domestic action as they compete in the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

By the time City next play in the league at in-form Everton on December 27, they could be eight points behind Arsenal.

City play Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah today.

VILLA CHALLENGE

A 2-1 win against Brentford on Sunday moved Aston Villa to within a point of the top of the table and level with second-place Liverpool. It also saw manager Unai Emery set a record for the Midlands club.

Villa has won 25 EPL games in the calendar year, the most they have ever managed in English football's top division.

Having taken over Villa, who were under threat of relegation last season, Emery could lead Villa to first place on Friday when they play Sheffield United. A draw between Liverpool and Arsenal on Saturday, would see Villa stay top on Christmas Day.

UNITED FIGHT

With three words, Erik ten Hag sought to quash talk of player unrest at Manchester United.

A battling 0-0 at Liverpool was the perfect way to respond to ongoing questions about locker room unity as United's troubled season has endured numerous setbacks.

"I told you," said a satisfied Ten Hag after their performance at Anfield.