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Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Paul Merson, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur
Ryan Smart
Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Paul Merson, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal legend Paul Merson says Jurgen Klopp will be angry at the growing gap between Liverpool and the top four teams in the Premier League.
The Reds sit eight points outside the top four places, with 16 points from their opening 12 games.
They have won just four of those games, and go into Sunday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur off the back of consecutive defeats to Nottingham Forest and Leeds.
One positive for Liverpool, however, has been their form in Europe.
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Although Klopp's side didn't top their Champions League group, they did end the stage with five straight wins.
That included Tuesday's 2-0 win over previously unbeaten Napoli at Anfield - the perfect platform for the visit to London.
Standing in their way, however, is a Spurs side that will be equally buoyed by their Champions League display.
Antonio Conte's side defeated Marseille 2-1 in France, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's goal in stoppage time meaning that they topped their group.
But they will go into the game without Son Heung-Min, who suffered a fractured eye socket in the victory, and could even miss the World Cup.
This feels like a must-win game for Liverpool, who will want to go into the pre-World Cup break with two more wins under their belt.
And speaking ahead of the game, Merson gave his assessment on Klopp's current thoughts.
Merson, who will be on the Soccer Saturday panel this weekend, told Sportskeeda: "Liverpool have defeated Napoli, Ajax and Manchester City, but have lost to Leeds and Nottingham Forest.
"Had they won both those games, they would have been in sixth place. It's extraordinary, and Jurgen Klopp must be pulling his hair out.
"Every week that goes by, the gap between Liverpool and the top four gets bigger. They can't afford to lose this game."
It is true that on numerous occasions, Liverpool's attempts to build momentum have been blocked by sides in the bottom half of the table.
And whilst the win over Man City was seen a turning point in the Reds' season, they have been unable to capitalise on it domestically.
And Klopp - who has a contract at Liverpool believed to be the region of £15 million per year, as per Goal - will want a repeat Liverpool's success against top half teams on Sunday.