Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp told his side to stop behaving as if they had attended a funeral after a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday dealt a serious blow to their title challenge and handed the advantage to Manchester City.
Luis Diaz rescued a point for Liverpool as they went top of the Premier League on goal difference but City can open up a three-point gap with a win against Newcastle United on Sunday.
“First and foremost, we should stop behaving like it is a funeral,” said Klopp. “I didn't say that to the boys but it's a little bit the mood here. We still talk about football and these kinds of things can happen. In my life, much worse things happened and I’m still here.”
The German added that he did not expect champions City to slip up with four matches remaining.
Liverpool, who have already won the League Cup, are chasing a quadruple of trophies this season after reaching the finals of the FA Cup and Champions League.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte said his side were worthy contenders for a spot in the Premier League top four. “There are three games to go for us, four games for Arsenal. “Not easy for us, not easy for Arsenal.” Conte told reporters.
“We deserve to stay in this race, because I think in November, not many people believed that Tottenham could fight until the end for a place in the Champions League. Now we are in the race and we are deserving of this.”