Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool’s quadruple hopes could be over after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham at Anfield.
Luiz Diaz got the Reds level with 15 minutes to go, after Heung-min Son had put Spurs ahead, but Liverpool were unable to find a late winner as they suffered a rare slip-up.
It leaves them level on points with Manchester City having played a game more, with Pep Guardiola’s side having the chance to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League when they face Newcastle on Sunday.
Klopp is not expecting to get any favours from City in the final few games of the season, believing that the number of games Liverpool have had to play is a significant reason why their quadruple ambitions may fall short.
“I’m not happy, but not as sad as the players are right now and it is my job to explain why something happens like this,” Klopp told BBC Sport.
“Harry Kane and Heung-min Son were completely rested, that is why it is so hard. That is why the quadruple is so unlikely, there is a reason nobody has done it in this country. We will keep going.”
He added: “I would love to sit here and say City will drop points but I can’t see it. I wish I would think differently about it but I can’t see it. But we will see what happens.”
Tottenham sat back at Anfield as expected but offered a real threat on the break through their front-three, and could well have won it late on when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg made a complete mess of a free header from six-yards out.
There was plenty in Liverpool’s performance that impressed their manager, even if the result was ultimately a frustrating one.
“A difficult game, but I’m really happy with the performance of my boys against a top team that might play Champions League next season,” Klopp said.
“They have world class strikers on the pitch set-up for counter-attacking. It makes life not easy, 1-0 down is difficult and we kept calm and forced the equaliser.
“Our mentality was incredible and the counter-pressing was a different level. But we faced an opponent set-up for counter-attacks with a full week to prepare, we accept that and it is a draw. “
