FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Chelsea - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - January 31, 2024 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates after the match REUTERS/Carl Recine/File Photo
(Reuters) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said his players are already giving 100% and do not need to take any further motivation from his looming departure to win the Premier League this season.
Last month, the 56-year-old German announced his decision to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the current campaign after a trophy-laden eight-and-a-half-years at Anfield, citing dwindling energy levels.
His side is currently leading the Premier League table after playing 22 matches while having booked a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup, the final of the League Cup and the last 16 of the Europa League.
But Klopp said nothing has changed.
"If I wouldn't have announced what I announced a week ago, what would be different?" Klopp told reporters. "The only little difference is that now they say: 'For Juergen'. That's the only thing.
"Of course, I want to win the league. Do I know if we have a chance, really? Because it looks like we can be around it, but there are so many games between now and then ... I just cannot think about it. I am not a dreamer."
Since moving to Merseyside from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund in 2015, Klopp has won the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield with Liverpool.
"If (my departure) can generate a few extra per cent it would be good, but I'm not sure that's needed because we are already at 100%, and that is fine," Klopp said.
Liverpool next take a trip to north London to face title-rivals Arsenal on Sunday.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Chopra)
