Jurgen Klopp has rejected the notion that Thursday’s visit from Sheffield United is an ideal chance to boost Liverpool’s goal difference.
The Reds host the Premier League’s rock-bottom side knowing victory will take them a step closer towards a 20th title having beaten Brighton 2-1 to go two points clear of Arsenal on Sunday after their goalless draw with third-place Manchester City, who were both in action on Wednesday night.
Chris Wilder’s men have shipped a division high 77 goals, which is the most of any team after 29 games of a 38-match campaign in the Premier League. Klopp, though, insists it is only the points tally that will be a factor when his team entertain the Blades at Anfield.
“Goal difference? No, definitely not,” Klopp said. “I want to win the game first – the result I’m not bothered about at the moment. It’s a little bit difficult. Sheffield are in their best spell probably in the last two games (2-2 draw at Bournemouth and 3-3 at home to Fulham) and they’ve been a bit unlucky with the results maybe, I don’t know I didn’t see the full games.
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“But I saw the clips and it’s always the same, they have an idea. Our game there (December’s 2-0 win) was Chris Wilder’s first game back and we had chances and we didn’t use them and that was for sure before the Manchester United game [0-0] so probably our counter press was not as good and they could come out.
“I remember them having counter attacking chances on the left wing and stuff like this and that is how they will set up it up with the two strikers up front, a partnership (Ben Brereton-Diaz and Oli McBurnie) which works together, they both scored in the last game [will check that], and these kind of things will be tricky.”
Klopp also feels that the uncertain nature of the Premier League’s off-field rulings around potential points deductions for both Everton and Nottingham Forest offer Wilder and his players enough hope to be brave and bold at Anfield.
