The Liverpool Offside - Premier League 2020-21: Sheffield United vs. LiverpoolZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2021-03-01T14:30:00+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/220698032021-03-01T14:30:00+00:002021-03-01T14:30:00+00:00Jürgen Klopp “Never in Doubt About the Togetherness” of This Liverpool Team
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<p>It’s been a difficult few months for the Reds, but Klopp’s men got a much needed league victory on Sunday.</p> <p id="5t090O">It’s been a difficult two months in the league for Liverpool. In that time, the defending champions have struggled through a crippling injury crisis and fallen back, plummeting from the top of the table and into a battle to finish in the top four.</p>
<p id="ruHrX9">On Sunday there was some respite—a solid performance and all three points, albeit against Sheffield United, the worst team in the league. Still, at this point a win is a win and goals scored are goals scored, and that had Jürgen Klopp feeling positive.</p>
<p id="kSrD8q">“I was never in doubt about the togetherness of this team,” Klopp said following the match. “So the world is like this, we win a game and we show togetherness obviously. We don’t win a game and people think we do not have togetherness.</p>
<p id="S15iGK">“It’s not as easy as that, but it was clear that we would be like this and that we would try everything—not only for Ali but also for him of course. We needed the points obviously to keep in contact with the teams above us so it was very important.”</p>
<p id="3szhwK">The win leaves Liverpool in sixth but draws them within two points of West Ham in fourth and just a point off Chelsea in fifth, with Klopp’s Reds set to host Thomas Tuchel’s Blues in a mid-week match that looks to have major ramifications.</p>
<p id="olMaf9">It’s not, perhaps, the battle anyone expected Liverpool to be in when the season started, but having lost four of their top five choices at centre half, expecting them to keep pace with <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a> was probably always out of the question.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/3/1/22306957/jurgen-klopp-never-in-doubt-about-togetherness-liverpool-team-injuries-poor-form-2021Noel Chomyn2021-02-28T23:30:00+00:002021-02-28T23:30:00+00:00Digging Deeper Into Liverpool’s Feel Good Win Against Sheffield United
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<figcaption>Photo by Lee Smith - Pool/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We we take a closer look at some of the whys and hows of the match as the Reds cruised to a 2-0 win</p> <p id="dNZKxS">Liverpool have had some decent performances of late, but have failed to capitalize, or have even capitulated. Today, the Reds finally put together a relatively dominant and positive performance all around. It’s been a while since Liverpool have managed 3 points and a clean sheet (in the league).</p>
<p id="5oxPTv">Join us as we try and separate narrative from reality of the match up and how it all went down in the end.</p>
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<h2 id="TQVW68">Winners</h2>
<p id="MPvpkH"><strong>Curtis Jones</strong><br>The Scouser has quietly become one of the positive forces in this side. He was stellar yet again today, making some driving runs with and without the ball. He got on the end of several nice plays, and led the team with 4 shots, placing 3 of them on net. He opened the scoring for the Reds, calmly smashing the ball to the far post after the ball rebounded to him near the penalty spot. Curtis was also his usual efficient self passing, completing over 96% of his passes. Most importantly, CuJo seems to be a great teammate. In his post-match interview, Curtis dedicated his goal to Alisson Becker’s father, who passed away earlier in the week.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I'd like to take this time to say this goal is for Ali's Dad. If Ali sees this, this one's for you bro!" <br><br>Curtis Jones dedicates his goal to Alisson's late father. <a href="https://t.co/PXniD7ndBM">pic.twitter.com/PXniD7ndBM</a></p>— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1366136217528631296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2021</a>
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<p id="bDjkFY"><strong>Roberto Firmino</strong><br>The Brazilian forward has struggled to finish his chances. He had yet another great chance, set through on goal early in the match, but he couldn’t find the corner and smashed it too close to the keeper. Despite his issues with finishing, Bobby has still managed to create opportunities for himself and others at a good clip. He provided a perfectly cushioned volley to Mohamed Salah that almost led to a goal. Bobby also found the back of the net, albeit with the help of a big deflection. While it went down as an own goal, he started the move from outside the box with some fancy footwork, and then one-upped himself after receiving the ball inside the box with three defenders around him. His moment of magic created the opportunity, and he deserves plenty of credit for the goal.</p>
<p id="4KYvu3"><strong>Trent Alexander-Arnold</strong><br>The OTHER Scouser in the team seems to have found his swagger again. Trent was pinging the ball all over the field today, playing some aggressive and ambitious passes that served the ball up to the attackers in great spots. He was the creative hub for the team, and had the most touches of anyone on the field. Trent has also been more willing to drive forward with the ball, and it has led to some great chances on goal. He forced a good save from Aaron Ramsey after smashing a left-footed shot from inside the box. Trent also created the opportunity for the first goal by making a great hustle play. He sprinted after a loose ball, and managed to hit it just before it fully crossed over the line, and played it into a dangerous area in the box.</p>
<p id="P3e9ZX"><strong>Makeshift Defense</strong><br>While there were a lot of good performances today, it should be noted that Liverpool managed to keep a clean sheet despite fielding yet another starting center back pairing in front of the third-string keeper. It wasn’t always pretty, but Nat Phillips, Ozan Kabak, and Adrian did enough to keep the ball out of the net. Phillips was a monster in the air again, winning 7 headers. Kabak won 6 headers himself, and also made some very timely tackles inside the box. Adrian did well coming out to punch the ball away on corners, and stood tall to snuff out a late opportunity.</p>
<h2 id="PKR9VD">Losers</h2>
<p id="K7kFMx"><strong>Sadio Mané’s Offensive Output</strong><br>Let’s be honest, this is super nit-picky, so feel free to get annoyed at me in the comments. I absolutely adore Sadio, and think he had a pretty solid game over all. He did some great defensive work, and fought for every ball that was played in his general vicinity while getting hacked at all game long. Still, the timing and location of his runs just seems a little off. I’m thinking it could partly be due to Curtis Jones playing a much more adventurous midfield role on the left, which is changing the angles for Sadio. Still, in a game where Liverpool managed to get 16 shots off, none of them came from the Senegalese forward.</p>
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<h2 id="iNKCMb">Dissecting The Narrative</h2>
<p id="GzQ3cn"><strong>The Unlucky Liverpool Narrative</strong><br>Despite feeling good, there were still some elements of luck that needed to go Liverpool’s way today on both goals. Last season, the Reds seemed to get the ball to bounce just the right way, or managed to get a boarderline call in their favor whenever the game was in the balance. This season, it has been tough sledding with VAR, deflections, and really anything even remotely related to being lucky.</p>
<p id="ucvOvZ">Today, Liverpool needed some luck, and finally got it. They needed a VAR review to go their way on the first goal, and finally got one. On the second goal, Firmino’s shot seemed destined to skew well wide of the far post, but a generous deflection, that was later classified as an own goal, helped steer the ball into the net. So, for at least one game this season, Liverpool fans can’t claim to be unlucky. Soz.</p>
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<h2 id="xt4VYk">What Happens Next</h2>
<p id="6pN3D1">Liverpool have a big match in the race for the top four against a resurgent Chelsea side at Anfield on Thursday. A win would vault Liverpool past both Chelsea and West Ham into the 4th spot in the table.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/28/22306064/digging-deeper-into-liverpools-feel-good-2-0-win-against-sheffield-united-pl-2021-trent-swagger-cujoCruyff Turns Anonymous2021-02-28T21:18:40+00:002021-02-28T21:18:40+00:00Sheffield United 0, Liverpool 2: Man Of The Match
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<figcaption>Photo by Lee Smith - Pool/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>After Liverpool finally managed to score some goals, we want you to rate your man of the match.</em></p> <p id="dtSnOj">Winning is fun? I’d forgotten what it felt like to actually enjoy watching an entire game. It was a solid outing all around, especially considering it was yet another defensive spine, with another new starting center back pairing with the nervy-at-times Adrian behind them.</p>
<p id="wv6JZx">Trent Alexander-Arnold seems like he has found his form again. He was pinging balls all over the field, dropping ambitious crosses and crossfield balls on a plate. He is looking much better defensively as well, winning a couple of tackles. He also made some aggressive runs into the box. He made a great effort play to keep the ball juuuuuust in bounds as he crossed it into the box, leading to the opening goal. Curtis Jones was there to collect a rebound around the penalty spot and coolly slam the ball to the far post. CuJo was magnificent again over all. Besides the goal, he was getting on the end of a lot of plays in the box, putting 3 of 4 shots on target. He was also very efficient with his passing, and made several great driving runs with the ball.</p>
<p id="eVBYQz">Georginio Wijnaldum also provided some great drive from midfield, getting the ball forward into advanced positions more than a couple of times. He was also his usual press-resistant self, taking the ball off of defenders in tight positions and turning a player before moving the ball.</p>
<p id="hgUBNC">Roberto Firmino also had a very solid game. His finishing still leaves a lot to be desired, and he really should have scored just a few minutes into the game when he was clear through on goal. While his finishing has been suspect, his creative play has been superb. He linked up play and sent Mohamed Salah through on goal with a lovely cushioned volley. Firmino also forced an own goal after some stellar footwork on the ball in the box.</p>
<p id="1CzO97">With our favored polling tool out of service, we’re instead giving you a choice between a few of the players we thought looked best today for the Reds, so make your choice below and vote for who you think should be the man of the match—or take to the comments to let us know that we got it wrong by leaving the real man of the match off the list entirely.</p>
<p id="etfFNw">As always, anyone visiting on Apple News or Google AMP who wish to vote and can’t see the poll can make it visible by navigating to the front page of The <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> Offside and re-entering the story.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/28/22306058/sheffield-united-0-liverpool-2-man-of-the-match-pl-2021-curtis-jones-roberto-firmino-sauceCruyff Turns Anonymous2021-02-28T17:00:00+00:002021-02-28T17:00:00+00:00Klopp Talk: “Difficult Situations Always Fired Me Up”
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<img alt="Liverpool Training Session" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wbKPGlHg9MWXnyX7B9NC6xCL45E=/0x155:1521x1169/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68887804/1303848536.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool manager says he’s fired up by the challenge of getting the season back on track.</p> <p id="OXbeNO">For Liverpool, it’s now been two months of struggle on the pitch. The reasons are obvious and valid: the lengthy injury list, the lack of fans, the mental fatigue of playing in the midst of a pandemic and the physical fatigue of a compressed schedule.</p>
<p id="AQNaLs">Valid or not, though, their recent poor run has still been difficult to watch—more difficult perhaps for the fact that while Liverpool haven’t been at their best, they’ve been better than their results. Jürgen Klopp, though, insists he isn’t feeling beaten down.</p>
<p id="0VAJDc">“Difficult situations always fired me up rather than the other way around,” Klopp said. “It’s clear to say winning game after game after game is nicer, absolutely. But this is a different time, this is a different season for us obviously for plenty of reasons.</p>
<p id="f5mTeB">“We have to fight through this and we will do that. There’s no doubt about that. Maybe the important message in this moment: we are still Liverpool. You cannot only be Liverpool on a day when you win 20 games in a row or don’t lose home games for ages.”</p>
<p id="aJQcwM">If they want to be a Liverpool that finishes top four, though, they need to get back to being a side that wins, if not 20 games in a row, at least more often than not. And they need to do it quickly, starting today against relegation favourites Sheffield United.</p>
<p id="wzHRfL">“We are still Liverpool,” the manager reiterated. “That’s exactly what I know and what I live. That’s what gives me energy. I’m not here for only big celebrations and stuff like this, I’m here for doing the work—the dirty work, the hard work, no problems.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/2/28/22305831/jurgen-klopp-difficult-situations-always-fired-me-up-salvage-liverpool-2020-21-epl-season-injuriesNoel Chomyn2021-02-28T14:04:50+00:002021-02-28T14:04:50+00:00Lee Mason Withdraws as Fourth Official for Sheffield United vs. Liverpool
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<img alt="West Bromwich Albion v Brighton &amp; Hove Albion - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1COmYwdFoZGtVmBYgrlMe297vsw=/0x93:2032x1448/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68887352/1304388975.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The referee, embroiled in controversy due to events in Saturday’s West Brom vs. Brighton match, is said to be out due to injury</p> <p id="uJX7VR">After being involved in a controversial disallowed goal as the referee in Saturday’s match between West Bromwich Albion and Brighton, Lee Mason has withdrawn as fourth official for today’s Sheffield United vs. Liverpool match.</p>
<p id="5eS5zE">According to reports, the withdrawal is due to an injury suffered during the match, though given Mason was able to see out Saturday’s game it seems somewhat surprising he would not be able to take on fourth official duties today.</p>
<p id="iNCQy6">Saturday’s incident in the West Brom vs. Brighton match was of interest to many Liverpool fans as it saw a goal similar to one scored against Liverpool last season instead waved off by the referee when he deemed the West Brom goalkeeper wasn’t set on a free kick and blew play dead as a shot by Brighton’s Lewis Dunk sailed towards the net.</p>
<p id="NhEPQd">Last season, in Liverpool’s December match against Brighton, referee Martin Atkinson gave goalkeeper Alisson a red card for handling outside the box. Adrian replaced him but did not appear set when Atkinson signalled play could commence and Dunk scored from the free kick.</p>
<p id="CxFPgU">For Mason on Saturday, after initially signalling to Dunk that play could commence, he appeared to realise the West Brom goalkeeper wasn’t set and changed his mind, blowing his whistle again to stop play after the shot had been taken.</p>
<p id="KDmVAa">“It’s embarrassing,” was Dunk’s reaction to the confusion and disallowed goal following the match. “It’s a horrendous decision, I said to the ref can I take it, he blew his whistle and I took it. Why doesn’t he come and speak to the press like me? They hide behind their bubble. I don’t think he knew what he was doing.”</p>
<p id="z7DuFQ">It’s the latest moment of controversy surrounding officiating decisions and VAR in a Premier League season that has at times seemed to be more about the referees than the actual football on display.</p>
<p id="Z9DjfK">Mason as fourth official for today’s Liverpool game would have likely made him a major talking point in television coverage. His withdrawal due to injury perhaps relegates the controversy of Saturday’s West Brom vs. Brighton match to a minor footnote.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/2/28/22305743/lee-mason-controversy-brighton-west-brom-withdraws-injury-fourth-official-liverpool-vs-sheffieldNoel Chomyn2021-02-27T18:20:00+00:002021-02-27T18:20:00+00:00Preview: Sheffield United vs. Liverpool
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<p>All you need to know about Liverpool’s trip to Sheffield United as the race for top four begins.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="KmInLD">
<h2 id="ALQJH5">SHEFFIELD UNITED VS. LIVERPOOL</h2>
<h5 id="CFC26T">| Sunday, February 28th |<br>Premier League | Bramall Lane<br>7:15PM GMT/2:15PM EST</h5>
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<p id="C2Dax0">From the top of the table at Christmas to chasing the top four by the end of February, Liverpool head to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United. If I have to talk about all the players that they’ll be missing when they go, I might curl up in the fetal position and not move until Monday, so we’ll save that bit for last.</p>
<p id="3j5xD1">If ever this Liverpool side were to build some momentum, it would be against Chris Wilder’s bottom-ranked Sheffield United. They’ve only managed 11 points in the last 25 league games, putting them six points behind 19th-placed West Brom and inching closer to the drop.</p>
<p id="dH4pK3">The last time they scored a goal was on February 7th when they hit their 15th against Chelsea. No one can be feeling confident in Liverpool land at the moment, though, no matter how week the opposition is on paper. </p>
<p id="WVxaXh">The sad news about the tragic death of Alisson’s father means that the goalkeeper may not play this one. COVID restrictions mean he can’t return to Brazil for the funeral, but he may still be given a compassionate leave.</p>
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<h5 id="vJSSQi"><strong>Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)</strong></h5>
<p id="vAYVms">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Kabak, Phillips, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mané</p>
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<p id="9ALRSF">As mentioned, Alisson may sit this one out. Sheffield United is an optimal match in which to give him some time to grieve with his family. However, he is still in Liverpool, so it’s possible that he chooses to play.</p>
<p id="fdsFzM">Here’s some potentially good news: Diogo Jota, the player who lit up Anfield in handful of matches he played before getting injured, has been in training and will be assessed before the game. It’s possible will see him on the bench, which should be a nice boost.</p>
<p id="c6gwPo">But here we go. The list of Liverpool’s injured players is: Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk, James Milner, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho. So no one too important then. </p>
<p id="lZeHuW">At least Sheffield United have suffered a similar defensive decimation this season. They’ll play without John Egan, Jack O’Connell, Chris Basham, and Jack Robinson in defense. Additionally, they’ll be without Sander Berge, Lys Mousset and Jack Rodwell. </p>
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<h5 id="6b4Ivp">What the Managers Had to Say</h5>
<p id="ch9bhX"><strong>Jürgen Klopp</strong>: “And an away game is the same and Sheffield United is a strong side with a difficult, difficult start in the season. Meanwhile, the last 10 games I think, the results were much different. You can see that, they are much more confident, all these kind of things.”</p>
<p id="Mvj9Ym"><strong>Chris Wilder</strong>: “Last season I tried to give Mr Klopp a bottle of Champagne at Bramall Lane before, but he wouldn’t accept it, but I gave it him after the match and he accepted.</p>
<p id="p0c53S">To win the PL by an enormous amount of points, we knew last year we would not have the majority of possession and shots and in those small periods we had to influence the game, this season we got off to a fabulous start at Anfield and there were opportunities there to take something from the game.”</p>
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<h5 id="YypweE">The Officials</h5>
<p id="PdtEEB"><strong>Referee:</strong> Jonathan Moss. <strong>Assistants: </strong>Marc Perry, Dan Robathan. <strong>Fourth official:</strong> Lee Mason. <strong>VAR:</strong> Andy Madley. <strong>Assistant VAR:</strong> Matthew Wilkes.</p>
<p id="OUsniP">Kickoff is set for 7:15PM GMT/2:15PM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2502841/liverpool-vs-southampton/"><strong>LiveSoccerTV</strong></a>. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/27/22304684/sheffield-united-vs-liverpool-epl-2021-preview-team-news-injuries-predicted-lineups-watch-onlineepicskyline2021-02-27T10:00:00+00:002021-02-27T10:00:00+00:00Jurgen Klopp: Top 4 Would Be A Big Achievement
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<img alt="Liverpool v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YJytBbSn5ZPntNOI3NMU6oaLZm4=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68883966/1231288176.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Liverpool boss recognizes that this season has been especially challenging, but there are still things yet to accomplish. </p> <p id="M7mYku">It’s incredible how quickly things can change in this sport. A couple of bad tackles and the knock-on effects of a run-away injury crisis transformed Liverpool from a title contender that hardly lost in 2 years, to a team that can’t find a win with two hands and a flashlight in just a few months. </p>
<p id="bAWXna">Despite their best efforts to “circle the wagons” and deal with adversity—something that served them well until Christmas—Liverpool now find themselves looking up at the top 4, and facing a real climb to get back into contention. </p>
<p id="zYUeZq">However, those coveted <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> spots are still up for grabs, and Jurgen Klopp is still targeting a Top 4 finish. Of course, the gaffer isn’t so naïve to think that it isn’t a big challenge ahead. </p>
<p id="gWkLKP">“Big. Absolutely, nothing else to say,” Klopp told the club’s official website, “You see it yourself, you see the competitors. </p>
<p id="3HuTY7">“Look, it’s not about the possible performance. So, the game we played against Leicester we lost, we know, but the performance we showed that day, that was a game usually one team wins. </p>
<p id="WGpW3V">“But it’s all about results. I don’t say that’s not right. No, the table doesn’t lie – never. That’s completely fine. It’s just we know performance-wise we are not so far away but result-wise we are – and that’s what we have to change.”</p>
<p id="UORbgq">If Liverpool are to start picking up results, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/26/22303413/klopp-talk-liverpool-epl-press-conference">they better start soon</a>. Things are already looking quite tenuous for the Reds, and a few more bad results will be enough to do them in. </p>
<p id="A9ze8h">The situation around injuries hasn’t made things easy for the boss. In fact, it’s been like a game of Whack-a-Mole this season. </p>
<p id="XjZzS7">“For all the different reasons that it was a difficult season so far for us, we always tried to sort it. Honestly, we try with all we have to sort it. Then while you sort one problem, another problem occurs, that’s how it is. Then you try to sort that and then another. </p>
<p id="AajGXs">“So, that’s in a season when it’s not going perfect obviously and that’s, for sure, for us the case. Then it means now other clubs with big potential, City we don’t have to talk about, but United, Leicester, Chelsea, West Ham in and around us, Tottenham have similar problems maybe like we have, Arsenal maybe as well. So, there’s a distance to go for us. We don’t have to think about that really, we have to think about Sheffield United. </p>
<p id="mlPbAz">“If we can do that then maybe we are a step closer or not, then Chelsea’s coming and that’s a proper game as well. So all these kind of things, that’s what’s going on. If we would do it in the end, yeah, that would be big.”</p>
<p id="efY3o1">This season is quickly becoming one to forget for the Reds. But missing out on the Top 4 would be a big blow, both financially and reputationally, for Liverpool. The club, under Jurgen Klopp, has just again started getting a reputation as a top European side. It would be a shame to take a step back after several years of domestic and international brilliance. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2021/2/27/22304401/liverpool-fc-jurgen-klopp-top-4-big-achievement-interview-champions-league-epl-injuriesZachary Marx2021-02-26T19:00:00+00:002021-02-26T19:00:00+00:00Klopp Talk: Looking Toward the Final Stretch
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<img alt="Jürgen Klopp betrays no emotions on the sideline against Everton. He wears an LFC cap and puff jacket." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bFy0RFkSrYCET2CyUsEL8lhhXLw=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68881311/1231288322.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jürgen Klopp betrays no emotions on the sideline against Everton. | Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="ZIb21S">Speaking ahead of the club’s meeting with Sheffield United at the weekend, manager Jürgen Klopp <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F426982-jurgen-klopp-sheffield-united-press-conference&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2021%2F2%2F26%2F22303413%2Fklopp-talk-liverpool-epl-press-conference" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">spoke candidly</a> about his hopes for the final stretch of the 2020/21 season.</p>
<p id="QGZpBl">The Reds will hope to push to top four with a set of good results in the final 13 Premier League matches this season, as the side sits sixth, five points behind fifth-placed West Ham United.</p>
<p id="1mZj9t">The manager did not shy away from the difficulty of the situation his side finds themselves in.</p>
<p id="WqMMI5">“[It’s a] Big challenge, big challenge of course, that’s how it is. You only have to look at the points; it’s not too far off but already it’s a distance. So that’s all clear. We don’t have to talk too much about that, the only thing we have to do is to try to win as many games as possible. That’s what we do – and then we will see at the end of the season. But, of course, it’s a challenge.”</p>
<p id="bFAvKV">How many games do they need to win? Well, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/BassTunedToRed/status/1364552706522828803?s=20">Andrew Beasley</a>, if we assume the other teams continue as they are Liverpool will need at least eight wins out of their final 13 games to hit the top four historical pattern of at least 19 wins (though whether this season maintains historical precedent is unclear). </p>
<p id="NstDyc">Beasley <a href="https://twitter.com/BassTunedToRed/status/1364983025935728648?s=20">suggests</a> that the Reds need to improve from their current rate of 1.60 points per game (ppg) to a whopping 2.23 ppg to reach the 69-point target — a huge jump given the recent form.</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/U8sg4WjScR">pic.twitter.com/U8sg4WjScR</a></p>— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) <a href="https://twitter.com/BassTunedToRed/status/1364983025935728648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2021</a>
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<p id="9rXBiW">Fans will hope the Reds regain their best form — a big ask given the further injury set-backs, but not impossible. At the same time, fans will hope all the other teams in the mix will hit a rough patch, making the hill a bit easier to climb for the injury-laden Reds. </p>
<p id="GRt3Nq">Despite the challenges, Klopp is <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Ffirst-team%2F426982-jurgen-klopp-sheffield-united-press-conference&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2021%2F2%2F26%2F22303413%2Fklopp-talk-liverpool-epl-press-conference" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">invested</a> in maintaining a productive atmosphere at the club.</p>
<p id="cZUJzT">“The atmosphere is right, if I can say it like this. It means it’s appropriate, how it should be. Yes, it’s not the best atmosphere we ever had, but nothing in between us so that’s all fine. We all agree on the things we have to do, but we have good moments as well. It’s a very challenging time for this squad, you can imagine, for different reasons. </p>
<p id="DQcvQP">“But that’s how it is; in these times you have to show your real face and that’s what the boys do. During the week we work hard, we’re looking forward to the next game, the next chance for us to turn it around, to win a football game and all these kind of things. That’s all we are thinking about. And you need some positivity for that. </p>
<p id="OWbW21">“It’s not so easy in these moments, of course, it’s not that everything is clicking and these kind of things. But, again, I’m responsible for the atmosphere and for the mood as well, and I’m in a good mood. I’m not happy about the situation but I’ve said it before: this is a massive challenge and a challenge you can face in different ways. And I prefer to face it in a positive way because I see a lot of good things in this team, I see a lot of promising things in our performances. </p>
<p id="qfo1j3">“We know we don’t have results and we have to change things, that’s clear as well. But we cannot change things without keeping the good things as well, and that’s what we are trying. We try to influence as much as we can, and the rest we have to accept. That it’s not an easy situation is clear, but I’m pretty sure there are worse situations out there in the world than ours, so we have a positive atmosphere.”</p>
<p id="dwo9XN">This has not been an easy year for any of us, and a good run of form for the Reds is something we all need: end of season result aside, having good football to watch would be a positive change, as watching the Reds is, at its core, a leisure activity — and it’s been lacking in “fun” for quite some time now.</p>
<p id="fmWwBJ">Of course, there’s always the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> to play for as well. Who would bet against a depleted Reds squad pulling off the impossible there?</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2021/2/26/22303413/klopp-talk-liverpool-epl-press-conferenceMari Murphy