‘That Will Anger Liverpool Fans’ – Exclusive: Pundit hammers Klopp for ‘Surprise’ claim | OneFootball

Noel Whelan insists a top-four finish is not good enough for Liverpool this season despite Jurgen Klopp’s claim.

The former Leeds United striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, said the Reds have the “best team in the Premier League” and should only be thinking about retaining the title with the squad they have.

Jurgen Klopp claimed on Sunday, as quoted by Sky Sports, that a top four finish was “the most important thing” for his club this season.

His comments came after the reigning Premier League champions shared a stalemate with Manchester United to drop to fourth in the table.

Whelan believes Liverpool fans will be angered by their manager’s words and will demand a title challenge despite long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Diogo Jota.

“The title is the most important thing, not a top four finish,” he told Football Insider.

“Are you saying to me that finishing second would be a successful season? I think many Liverpool fans would say that is not good enough.

“They have waited so long to get back to the top of English football and to now, say that top four is the priority… You should not be saying that. When you are champions you should not be looking anywhere but first.

“It surprises me because I believe they have the best team in the Premier League. They need to retain the title with the squad that they have.

“I am sure that will anger Liverpool fans.

“Perhaps he is saying that to take the pressure off some of his players or maybe there’s a few mind games going on. They have a fight on their hands though, that is for sure.”

In other news, Jurgen Klopp tipped to hold talks with FSG this month in order to seal a  Liverpool player deal.