Jürgen Klopp believes the improved quality of teams lower down the Premier League standings has contributed to a more competitive and unpredictable season, as his Liverpool team prepares to face a struggling Newcastle United on Saturday.
Despite finishing fourth last season, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side currently sits ninth in the table, having lost four of their previous five league games. With injuries mounting and the challenges of juggling Champions League and domestic commitments, the Magpies find themselves out of sorts.
Klopp, whose Liverpool team has only lost once in the league all season, highlighted the recent Boxing Day round of fixtures, where Arsenal, Tottenham, and Aston Villa all suffered defeats against lower-ranked teams. “That’s the quality of the Premier League,” said Klopp. “It’s difficult to win games when you’re not at your best. And you can play your best and still draw or lose a game. It’s all pretty normal.”
The German manager pointed out the rise of Aston Villa and Tottenham and the resurgence of Arsenal as evidence of the league’s competitiveness. He also acknowledged Manchester City’s dominance, stating that they can “go full throttle” in the second half of the season once they recover from their slight dip in form.
Klopp emphasized the importance of Liverpool’s come-from-behind victory at Newcastle in August, where Darwin Núñez scored a late double to secure a 2-1 win. The manager believes that this moment instilled confidence in his new-look team, especially after drawing at Chelsea in the season opener.
With Mohamed Salah set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations after the Newcastle game, Liverpool will need Núñez and others to step up in the Egyptian’s absence. Klopp highlighted the significance of their 10-man performance against Newcastle, saying, “When we play with 10, everybody buys 100% into defending. Against Newcastle, we had to defend deep. I said after the game: ‘If we can defend with 10 like this, who has a problem to do it with 11?'”
As Liverpool prepares to host Newcastle at Anfield, the unpredictable nature of the Premier League this season promises an intriguing encounter between two teams with contrasting fortunes.