Jurgen Klopp 'mind games' claim misses point as Liverpool given unwanted reality check

Some construed them as good old-fashioned mind games. But having pointedly avoided such an approach throughout his reign as Liverpool manager, the comments from Jurgen Klopp were simply based on cold, hard fact.

"If United play like today Arsenal will win that game, I’m 100% sure," said the Reds boss when asked about the Gunners' penultimate match of the season at Manchester United.

Rather than turn up the psychological pressure or goad an admittedly poor United into raising their level significantly for the fixture, it was arguably more likely a pointed message to his own team for once again being unable to capitalise on their dominance against their bitter North West rivals.

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Certainly, the prevailing mood among the travelling Kop that trudged away from Old Trafford after a wholly avoidable 2-2 draw was one of despondency at Liverpool letting slip their hard-earned two-point advantage to now stand behind new Premier League leaders Arsenal on goal difference.

The experience of recent title tussles have corrupted expectations, not just for Liverpool but the Premier League as a whole. Whereas the twists and turns that are still so often predicted would often materialise over the closing weeks, the relentlessness of victories during sprints for the line between the Reds and Manchester City have meant, even eight games out, every dropped point feels like a devastating blow.

The fixture list now very much doesn't appear to favour Liverpool, who still have four away games remaining at Fulham, Everton and West Ham United - all played within a space of seven days