Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool boss says Chelsea & Arsenal still in title race

Last updated on 24 December 2018.From the section Premier League845

Liverpool's title-winning team of 1990 — Liverpool have not won the English top-flight title since 1990

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says "nobody should feel safe" in the Premier League title race and insists Chelsea and Arsenal remain in the hunt.

Klopp's side will reach the halfway point of the season on 26 December at the top of the table after establishing a four-point lead.

Chelsea and Arsenal, who are fourth and fifth respectively, are 11 points behind the Reds with 20 games to play.

"No-one should feel out of the race," said Klopp.

In eight of the past 10 seasons, the leaders on Christmas Day have gone on to win the Premier League.

The two exceptions were in 2008-09 and 2013-14 - and on both occasions it was Liverpool who slipped from top spot to finish the season in second.

Do Liverpool have a Christmas curse? The best Premier League stats

Klopp, whose side are unbeaten in the league and host Newcastle United on Wednesday (15:00 GMT kick-off), added: "No decision is made, why should it be?"

The German's comments came after Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said Liverpool and Manchester City are "clear favourites" for the title after his side thrashed Everton 6-2 at Goodison Park on Sunday to narrow the gap to second-placed City to two points.

"I saw the game against Everton - who played absolutely more than OK - and then they [Spurs] hit pretty much everything and it was really impressive how Tottenham did," said Klopp.

"The same will happen to Arsenal and Chelsea.

"For me, they [Tottenham] were never out so why should people be surprised they are now in?

"A lot of teams are in whatever you call the title race, and that is how it should be."

Match preview: Liverpool v Newcastle

Top of the Premier League table: Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United — 2018-19 is the first top-flight season to see at least three clubs go over 40 points by Christmas in 33 years.

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845 comments

Comment posted by LD Rob, at 13:50 24 Dec 2018
Not a Liverpool fan but I do like Klopp. He doesn't do the victim thing or goes in for moronic mysticism in press conferences. Just an honest fellow who likes a laugh.
Comment posted by High Noon, at 13:47 24 Dec 2018
Dear Santa. Please can Liverpool win the league. I have been a good lad.

And if it's not too much trouble could Man u finish bottom half.

Thanks in advance.

Jim
Comment posted by Gezzer44, at 13:43 24 Dec 2018
No LFC fan is getting carried away or believing we will win the title. City have an imense squsd and a lot of cash.
Comment posted by Noname, at 14:03 24 Dec 2018
Merry Christmas to all Liverpool supporters and neutrals not trying to wind up. Top at Christmas doesn't mean we will win it, but it's better than not being top.
Comment posted by D1679419214783, at 14:02 24 Dec 2018
Klopp has been a revalation not just for lfc but the premiership as a whole,such a likeable chap who calls a spade a spade
Comment posted by Orkneyboy, at 14:15 24 Dec 2018
Baggies fan in peace.
I do hope Liverpool go on and finish it and at some point Spurs can get over the line too (next year?). It was tedious with Chelsea and City just swapping places after Leicester cheered us all up. Not sure why some MU (claim) trolls just think that slagging everybody off says something positive about United, it just embarrasses the real MUFC fans and makes you look foolish.
Comment posted by Candy Kanes, at 13:41 24 Dec 2018
Agree with Poch, Liverpool and City are still favourites, but it’s going to be a great battle between 5 clubs - which can only be great for the league. Up the premiership!

Still, Come on you Spurs, we’re in with a shout.

What a great season!
Comment posted by chris, at 14:06 24 Dec 2018
Wolves supporter here . Liverpool have played the best football this first half . And I hope gone on to win the premier league
Comment posted by Werdna, at 13:40 24 Dec 2018
Its been fun so far ....hope it continues....
Comment posted by macca, at 14:13 24 Dec 2018
I honestly don’t think any lover of football being played in the Style shown by Liverpool, Man City or Spurs can deny that the premiership title should go to one of those clubs . Any thing other would be not good for football.
Comment posted by david, at 14:28 24 Dec 2018
if at the end of the season Liverpool have one game to play with a lead of 4 points, then i feel confident that we win the league. all the huffing and puffing from now means diddly squat
Comment posted by Rich-D, at 13:36 24 Dec 2018
A 5 way race mathematically......but a 3 way race realistically. Spurs have favourable fixtures over the next 6 weeks or so, and with LFC sure to drop points in the next month, I expect those top 3 to chop and change position right to the end.
Comment posted by abdulmismail, at 14:10 24 Dec 2018
13. Posted by Dr Truth "...If only Liverpool fans could show a bit more class though and stop gloating, then they might actually win something for a change."

Just read 5 pages of comments. Not one Liverpool fan are gloating. Some are pleased. That's about it. We're all aware that we've come so close and end up with nothing.

Besides, fans don't control what we win.
Comment posted by glr, at 16:05 24 Dec 2018
Manchester Red here. It's refreshing to the enemy doing well, just not this well, hahaha! Klopp is a fantastic addition to the Premiership, just wish he was ours.

A merry yule to all.
Comment posted by dbfinch, at 15:34 24 Dec 2018
"No-one should feel out of the race," said Klopp.

I can only assume he went on to add, "Well, except for Manchester United."
Comment posted by Lawrenp, at 13:37 24 Dec 2018
It’s good to see equal admiration between these top managers, no matter how clinical it may be. Still, it’s better than the other mind-game nonsense from the past 20 yrs......or is it?
Comment posted by Bob3924, at 14:52 24 Dec 2018
19. Posted by Penelope Poopsalot on
1 hour ago
Top at Crimbo - lost Salah and their title hopes are finished. Lose Salah and the big Dutch dope at the back - Van Der Whatshisface - and they are relegation certainties. Milner and Henderson are spuds

You can tell school is out for xmas. WE have a 5 year old on the HYS it would appear!!
Maybe ask Santa for a brain for xmas mate!!
Comment posted by mal123, at 15:58 24 Dec 2018
The big difference between the 2014 Liverpool team and the current team is the defence. The 2014 team didn't have one, this one has the best! Our manager is right though, nothing is won yet and more than two teams are in it.
All still to play for!
Comment posted by Crube, at 14:12 24 Dec 2018
As a Spurs fan, I'm grateful to be up there, especially given the lack of transfer activity, and the fact we're still fighting on more than one front. A cup for us would be great this year realistically... as far as the Prem goes, it has to be Liverpool's to lose now. I'd rather they won it than ManC, but that's only cos my boss is a huge City fan!
Comment posted by User0589877021, at 13:51 24 Dec 2018
Bigger gaps than 11 points have been made up before. Trouble for Chelsea and Arsenal is that they need these Spurs, Liverpool and City teams to slip up several times. These teams aren't Newcastle circa 96 or even Liverpool 2014. All three would win the league in any other premiership era.