
Jurgen
Klopp has dismissed any talk of that famous slip by Steven Gerrard in
Liverpool’s failed title challenge in 2014 and is instead focusing on how to
stop Eden Hazard.
Chelsea's visit to Anfield on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, has drawn
comparisons to the two sides' meeting almost five years ago, when the then
Liverpool captain slipped to gift the Blues the lead, and hand eventual
champions Manchester City an advantage in the title race.
Klopp's class of 2019 hold a similarly precarious lead at the top of the
table this season - two points clear having played a game more - and any
setback in their final five games could once again hand City the initiative.
Liverpool host a rejuvenated Chelsea side this weekend, inspired by their
star forward Eden Hazard, who has scored four times in his last five league
games.
Asked how he plans to stop the Belgium international, Klopp said: "We will
try to make sure he doesn't shine by reading the game and reading passes to
him, reacting a little better.
"It's not easy. In some situations you can't defend and hopefully help will
come in from somewhere else.
"On his day he can be the world's best. He has had a brilliant career so far
and he has a lot of the things that I like in football.
"He is a good player but with all good players, they have to play against us
and we will try everything to deny a couple of his skills."
Klopp's attention may be solely on stopping Hazard, but he was unable to
avoid questions about that Gerrard slip. Despite the similarities with their
own title run-in, Klopp insists his side are writing a "completely new
story".
"I'm not sure if that's in anybody's mind apart from yours," Klopp said. "I
heard about it of course but it is nothing to do with us. It's all about the
game on Sunday and not about the past.
"Salah was there for Chelsea but we've changed it completely. Everything has
changed, only the colours and names are the same.
"I know we have to work hard but I liked the game and style on Tuesday night
and the good moments which we have to be in because we are going for big
targets.
"If anyone wants to talk to my players about what happened in 2014 please
don't. We have to be positive and front footed how we've done it for the
whole season."