Jurgen Klopp feels Liverpool not ready to put pressure on Man City

'I am not sure we are in a position to put them on our toes,' Liverpool manager says

Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring for Liverpool in their Premier League win over Leicester City at Anfield on Thursday, February 10. AP

Leicester's Boubakary Soumare tackles Liverpool new boy Luis Diaz. AFP

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker punches clear. EPA

Liverpool midfielder Luis Diaz controls the ball. AFP

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Getty

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Diogo Jota of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on February 10, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sees his shot saved by Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. PA

Diogo Jota scores his and Liverpool's second goal. PA

Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah reacts to a tackle. Getty

Diogo Jota is mobbed by teammates after scoring Liverpool's second goal. Getty

Liverpool's Luis Diaz shoots at goal. PA

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers. AFP

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists his side are not yet in a position to put pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City.

A 2-0 victory over Leicester courtesy of a Diogo Jota double reduced the gap at the top to nine points, with a match in hand and a trip to the Etihad Stadium still to come in April.

And while Klopp does not feel that is close enough yet he will ensure his side do their best to keep up the chase.

“I am not sure we are in a position to put them on our toes,” he said. “Even if we have no chance to catch them, we have to win our games.

"This football club is massive. It is always the same situation: there is a game, we put on the shirts and we have to win it.

“But there is not only Man City to catch, there is a lot of teams behind us who want to catch us.”

Jota opened the scoring in the 34th minute, his 100th club goal, and secured victory with a swivelled shot late on to take his Premier League tally to 12 this season – just four behind teammate Mohamed Salah – and make it 30 in 60 games for the club.

“He is obviously in a goalscoring moment which makes it incredibly helpful and in the absence of Mo and Sadio [Mane] it is extremely helpful,” Klopp said.

“We knew he was good, but now we have no idea where his limit is or where he can go, and I’m not sure he is already there.”

Salah, making his comeback after the Africa Cup of Nations final heartbreak, could have had a hat-trick within 20 minutes of coming off the bench just before the hour.

“What quality he has," Klopp said. "I think the first situation was incredible. The first move was genius.

"The defender slipped and he walked away, unfortunately Kasper (Schmeichel) is not a bad goalie and he made an incredible save.

“That’s just Mo. He had had about 35 minutes. It was the ideal time to bring him on and we can use it.

“We played a lot of football in the first 55 minutes and that is tiring for the opponents. When Mo comes on he brings a different dimension and we used that.”

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers dropped five players after their embarrassing FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend and felt he got a response.

“The spirit was really good. Disappointed with the [first] goal. A set piece has been an Achilles heel for us,” Rodgers said.

“But it was much more like us in terms of spirit, competitiveness.”

On his public criticism of the players at the weekend, he said: “Sometimes you have to be harsh to be clear and that was my thoughts at the weekend. It was nowhere near the level and especially in a derby game.

“It was a tough couple of days for us and coming here against a top opponent was going to be a stiff challenge.”