Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp aims low blow at Arsenal and Chelsea as he channels Rocky IV

By Tim Nash — Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to deliver two more KO blows to stand on the top of the world like Rocky IV.

The Reds are seeking a still-unlikely double that seemed impossible at the start of the week. They have to beat Wolves on Sunday and hope leaders Manchester City – who are a point clear of them – lose at Brighton to win their first Premier League title, and to be crowned champions for the first time in 29 years. Then they will look to beat Tottenham in the Champions League final.

Klopp’s side stunned the football world and provided one of the biggest shocks in history of the game on Tuesday night when they toppled Barcelona 4-0 after trailing 3-0 in the Champions League semi-final.

Balboa vs Drago

Now Liverpool have to do it again and Klopp was happy to compare the title race with City to the brutal and bloody toe-to-toe battle won by the most famous boxing underdog in movie history.

In Sylvester Stallone’s blockbuster, Rocky Balboa somehow triumphed against Soviet giant Ivan Drago, who had fatally beat Rocky’s friend Apollo Creed in the ring.

“Rocky IV, it was always Rocky IV,” said Klopp when asked which Rocky he would be. “All the others are Ivan Drago. It has been a slug?

“We are not there. We know that 100 per cent. So far we’re very positive, much more positive than many people thought. It is all good but it is not perfect.”

Dig at Chelsea and Arsenal

Klopp is still to win a trophy with Liverpool after nearly four years in charge. Until now, the consistency needed to be champions has eluded his team.

But he believes the stellar performances required to win silverware are becoming more regular, and that they can be sustained for years to come.

“We saw Chelsea and Arsenal… what’s the difference between us? Twenty points or so,” he said. “We’ve been so consistent, that’s the difference.

“We have to stay consistent for the last two games and the next few years. That is another challenge for us but one we are going to face.

“Last Tuesday was like the icing on the cake so far. Wow. That’s exactly the picture we want to draw for the outside world – this is Liverpool.

“A moment like this is worth more than silverware. If you struggle in a game, they hit the post and the bar but you win it, that’s good for saying ‘that year we won it and oh, we were lucky’. It’s a nice story but it doesn’t help with development.

“The job is to develop as far and as high as possible so it gets more and more likely that you win silverware, and that’s what we’ve done so far.”

New territory

City coach Pep Guardiola has suggested Liverpool have had an easier ride because there is less pressure on them.

Klopp admits he felt like he had entered new territory on Tuesday night.

“It didn’t feel too easy to be honest but we didn’t feel the pressure too much,” he added. “We decided to see it as an opportunity to win the games.

“All respect for City for what they’ve done this season. I don’t know who had more pressure or whatever, both delivered and here we are.”

Liverpool expect to have Jordan Henderson and Mo Salah available following knocks after missing the Barcelona game, plus Andy Robertson, who came off at half-time.