Jurgen Klopp has called on Liverpool’s players to give “every fibre of their bodies” to the Premier League title race and insisted he does not need any help after his side’s recent slip.
Manchester City usurped Liverpool at the top of the table on Wednesday after Klopp’s side limped to back-to-back draws against Leicester and West Ham.
However, Klopp brushed off the notion that his team had suffered under recent pressure and claimed he was disinterested in the external noise surrounding the title race.
“I got a message this week, another sign that people think I need help – I don’t need help, I’m fine – but it said in the last 10 games, City dropped 12 points and we dropped seven," Klopp said.
“Is it interesting for me? Not really, but obviously the view from outside is completely different.”
“I don’t think anybody thought we would be top with 12 points between us and other teams. The good news is we are still in there but the only chance to improve is by winning football games.
“We will be ready with each fibre of our bodies to fight for everything.”
Klopp also confirmed that it will be another four to six weeks until Joe Gomez returns to full training after the England international suffered a setback during the rehab to his broken leg.
The Liverpool boss also played down expectations regarding the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 25-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the Reds’ Champions League squad for the knockout stages but is not in line to return until April.
“Joe’s surgery went pretty well, but [it will be] four to six weeks to return to play,” Klopp said .
“If we got to the semis of the Champions League again, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should be available, quarter-finals maybe.
“We put him in the squad as we think there’s the chance for him to play.”
