Jürgen Klopp showed true feelings on title race as Liverpool ace chases Kevin De Bruyne
Liverpool looks set to keep Manchester City honest in the Premier League title race. As the matches continue to tick by before Jürgen Klopp departs to be replaced by a new head coach at Anfield, the hope that something special could emerge to form part of the celebrations that mark the end of his tenure will linger a little longer.
Pep Guardiola's side is still very much in the ascendency and should Manchester City win all of its final games, then it will be the champion again. If there is a slip-up along the way, however, Liverpool remains in a good position to be able to capitalize on that and not end up regretting more missed chances.
In fact, by the time Manchester City takes to the field against Brighton on Thursday, Liverpool could be four points clear at the top. Guardiola's side will have two games in hand by that point, but the pressure would be very much on it to deliver. Anything other than perfection for any of the title contenders could allow someone else to steal in.
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Liverpool have five matches left this season after it beat Fulham 3-1. Here's what Liverpool.com learned at Craven Cottage and what you might have missed.
One thing we learned
Klopp has made wholesale changes for the Merseyside derby in the past so it should not have been a massive shock that the German opted to do so beforehand this time around in an attempt to keep his players fresh. With three big away matches in a week, the Liverpool boss decided that rotation was the order of the day and the form of Mohamed Salah meant his talisman couldn't argue.
Liverpool got the job done with two of the players who came into the side — Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota — scoring goals. Klopp took a risk by changing things so dramatically but it paid off. Ahead of Everton and West Ham, it should have a benefit to the fitness and sharpness of the group as a collective.
Biggest takeaway
Last weekend's defeat to Crystal Palace is looking like it might really come back to haunt Liverpool. Arsenal slipped up immediately afterward against Aston Villa but it was all about Manchester City really.
Not to take anything for granted, but let's suppose that Liverpool does put together a bit of a run of form now that Alexander-Arnold and Jota are back in the side. There is still a good chance that Manchester City wins six out of six.
Even a point against Crystal Palace would have been worth something. Now, a Manchester City draw would put them, the Reds and Arsenal all level on points, with Liverpool lagging behind both on goal difference. That frustration will linger with every positive result that Liverpool collects unless there is another twist in the tale.
All the Reds can do is keep ensuring that is a possibility. Klopp's fist pumps in front of a delighted away section at Craven Cottage were filled with enough gusto that suggests everyone there feels the title could still be on. His feelings on the matter were clear.
All afternoon, the traveling Liverpool fans were vocal and belying the usual social media crybabies unhappy with the starting team. If Liverpool wins its five matches before the season is done, you just never know.
A moment you might have missed
Harvey Elliott has had better afternoons in terms of his overall performance. A specialist off the bench this season, the attacking midfielder has had a very effective campaign.
But even when he was largely quiet, the 21-year-old still picked up an assist. When Alex Iwobi gave possession away cheaply, Elliott was on hand to feed Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutchman still had a lot to do, but every assist counts.
Since the start of February, only Kevin De Bruyne (with nine) has more assists for a Premier League club in all competitions than Elliott does, with the Liverpool man having moved onto seven. That's crept up quietly, hasn't it?