EPL 2016/17: Jurgen Klopp feels matching Chelsea in title race will be difficult for Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp barks orders at his side during the game against West Ham

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted that it is arduous for The Reds to keep up with the pace set by league leaders Chelsea. The Merseyside outfit have fallen six points behind Antonio Conte’s side following their 2-2 home draw against West Ham in their most recent league outing.

Nothing is impossible

Klopp acknowledged the fact that Chelsea’s current form is too good to keep up with but he insists that anything is possible between now and the end of the season. “It’s difficult to stay in the race with Chelsea when they win everything, which we obviously haven’t,” said Klopp.

“I don't think about it. When we were first or second I wasn't thinking about it. This is the moment to collect points as much as possible. The season is very long and as everybody knows the most intense time is coming now. At this moment six points behind is not what we wish but we cannot change it.

“The only thing we can do is do what we do best. Our expectation is that we are in the top region of the table and that's where we want to be in the decisive part of the season, and then we can talk about what's possible,” the German added.

Dip in form

Liverpool were atop the league table hardly a month ago, but the 18-time league champions have endured a dip in form as they have collected just five points from their last four league games. The Reds lost 4-3 at Bournemouth last week after leading 3-1 and the draw with West Ham just added to the disappointment for Jurgen Klopp's side.

The aforementioned games have asked serious questions of the Liverpool defence and goalkeeper Loris Karius. The German goalkeeper’s positioning played a part in Dimitri Payet's free-kick which helped West Ham draw level after Adam Lallana had fired Liverpool in front in the 5^th minute. 

Michail Antonio then pounced on a misjudgement by Joel Matip and the Hammers found themselves with a 2-1 lead at half time. However, Divock Origi equalised for the Reds, capitalising on an error from West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph. Liverpool couldn’t add a third goal which would have been harsh on West Ham as Slaven Bilic’s side well and truly deserved a point out of the game.

It’s all good, says Klopp

Despite the recent slump, Klopp believes that there is no reason to panic. “It's all good apart from the result in the last two games, but in both games for a big part of the game we were the much better team,” he opined.

“The way to get to being a real top-flight team, there's never an easy way. There will always be struggles. We are still in a very good way but we are not first in the table, we're not even second. We are third. Come on. A lot of teams should feel worse. Everything is good at the moment,” Klopp continued.

Liverpool next travel to the Riverside stadium to take on Middlesbrough on Thursday and following their clash with Boro, the Reds have two monumental games coming up against Everton and Manchester City.