Liverpool vs Newcastle: Jurgen Klopp says six-point Premier League lead ‘means nothing’

Klopp downplayed the importance of Liverpool’s lead at the halfway stage

Wednesday 26 December 2018 20:17 GMT
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Premier League round-up: Liverpool maintain top spot

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Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool’s six-point Premier League lead “means nothing” after seeing his side smash four goals past Newcastle at Anfield.

Dejan Lovren, Mohamed Salah, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho all shared in the rout while Manchester City were stunned 2-1 by Leicester City, leaving clear space between the Reds and their nearest challengers.

However, Klopp was quick to downplay the importance of his team’s advantage at the halfway stage ahead of crucial fixtures against Arsenal and City this coming week.

“That [lead] means nothing. We play Arsenal and City,” Klopp said.

“I had no idea how any other teams were playing, I didn’t even know where they were playing.

“Afterwards I got the results and I can say it didn’t do a lot for me. It is just information.

“It’s good that we have six points than other teams, or seven, but that is pretty much all.”

Liverpool have won 16 of their 19 league games, becoming just the fourth team in history to pass the halfway stage of the season unblemished, and while Klopp remained cautious he did encourage his players to continue making history.

“What we wanted to do all the time was create a basis for the rest of the season. Now the first part of the season is over,” Klopp said.

Fabinho scored his first goal for Liverpool in the win against Newcastle
Fabinho scored his first goal for Liverpool in the win against Newcastle (EPA)

“We want to create our own history. It is the first Liverpool team in the Premier League unbeaten [halfway]. We have conceded seven goals.

“All good numbers but there are 19 games to go. So we play Arsenal, we play City, we play Tottenham. We play all of them again. There is a long way to go, we all know that.

“We have to win our games we have to be focused, we have to be really in the mood and have tunnel vision and see where it leads us to.”

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