Tuesday 28 November 2017 18:50, UK
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has refused to concede the Premier League title to Manchester City but admits it will be hard for the chasing pack to catch Pep Guardiola's side in their current form.
City extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points on Sunday after coming from behind to defeat Huddersfield away from home, while Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by defending champions Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds are already 14 points behind City just 13 games into the campaign but Klopp insists the title race is not a foregone conclusion and has urged his players to be ready if Guardiola's side suffer a dip in form.
"I saw the game against Huddersfield, yes Manchester City deserved to win but it was not like Huddersfield could not have won," said Klopp.
"As long as they keep winning, nobody else has a chance. If they stop winning and other teams have their good moments, then they are pretty much each the same distance away from City, points wise.
"It is possible that you can get them still but I don't care about that for the moment because we want to have the next three [points], and the next three and the next three.
"If anybody struggles then you need to be there but not for us at the moment, we are too far away. If they keep on going like this then nobody has a chance, then it is already decided."
Liverpool travel to face Stoke on Wednesday night and Klopp is expecting a typically boisterous reception from the home support under the floodlights at the bet365 Stadium.
"The last time we were there the weather was good," the German joked when asked if he was expecting the cold, windy cliché associated with the Potteries.
"This time it will be dark and probably windy. Stoke for sure is a difficult place to go. They are a good side with a fantastic manager, who is very experienced. The team is experienced as well.
"They live for moments like this in these home games, with the floodlight atmosphere. It is nice but we are not there to enjoy or suffer under any atmosphere, we go there to get the points."
Klopp opted to rotate his squad for the draw with Chelsea, with the likes of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane dropped to the bench at Anfield.
However, the former Borussia Dortmund boss has hinted that the trio could return to the starting line-up against the Potters.
"We had to make a few changes, it makes absolute sense at this part of the season to use the strength of the squad," said Klopp.
"We had to leave a few out and that is what we did. It is not completely unlikely that they will start."
