'Sh*t tactical plan!' - Jurgen Klopp quizzed on Premier League title conundrum as Liverpool farewell threatens to turn into a nightmare

The Reds have already savoured Carabao Cup glory this season, meaning that their legendary German tactician will walk away in the summer with at least one piece of silverware to his name. They have, however, slipped out of the Europa League at the hands of Atalanta.

A quarter-final defeat has been suffered in that competition, with a 3-0 first leg loss on home soil leaving Liverpool with a mountain to climb. They have also started to look tired in the English top-flight, slipping to third in the table, two points back on defending champions Manchester City.

Quizzed on whether fresh legs or tactics will be most important in a thrilling race to the finish, Klopp said after seeing his side run out of gas in a 1-0 victory over Atalanta in Bergamo: “It’s always a mix of all. Imagine we wouldn’t be tired but with a sh*t tactical plan, not so sophisticated. Or the other way round, a great plan and tired. It is the best league in the world, I have watched a lot football and whatever other leagues say, Italy has improved, Spain is fantastic, Bundesliga is there, but the Premier League is the most intense league, definitely.

“Besides Villa, all the teams are out in the quarter-finals. Because of extra European games they are getting rid of FA Cup replays. It’s just tricky but it’s not my problem any more. It’s my last European game and I’ll watch it and hopefully not speak any more about these kind of things. It’s a tough period and has to be tough. Three teams are going to try to win the Premier League. If that would be easy then something would be completely wrong. It was always a mix of sophisticated plans and physical and mental freshness.”

Liverpool’s focus has been narrowed on domestic competition, with six games left to take in this season, but the same is true of Manchester City and Arsenal following their Champions League exits. Klopp’s side will be back in action on Sunday when taking in a trip to Fulham.