Liverpool's title challenge may have fizzled out but Jürgen Klopp is not shocked... he believes even Real Madrid and Barcelona would struggle to win the Premier League.
The Reds boss has been given a brutal introduction to English football, with his side perfectly capable of outplaying the likes of Chelsea and Spurs but left bruised and battered by Burnley and Hull.
As he prepares for a visit to Watford – the scene of his worst defeat since arriving at Anfield 20 months ago – the German has become well aware that it’s the so-called smaller clubs that have left him with the bloodiest nose.
“Even for the greats of Spain it would be difficult to win the Premier League,” he said.
“Madrid and Barca would be fighting for everything but it would be very difficult for them. In the Premier League there is nothing certain. The intensity is very high.”
Liverpool have not lost to any side in the top eight this season but defeats by Swansea, Palace, Bournemouth Leicester, Burnley and Hull have scuppered their title hopes.
Despite criticism of his defence for undermining the tilt for the top, Klopp has given a new £25million contract to centre-half Dejan Lovren, at fault for both goals in last weekend’s Anfield defeat by Crystal Palace.
Klopp said: “If Dejan played for another club you’d think about signing him, and then you think what you’d have to pay for him and it would be big money.
“He is only 27 – the best time for a centre-half is still to come.”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/