Trent Alexander-Arnold has admitted Jurgen Klopp's impending departure from Liverpool will have an impact on the title race.
Ever since the German announced in January he would leave Anfield at the end of the season, the Reds' focus has been on ensuring a fairytale finale for the 56-year-old.
With six games left, Liverpool are two points behind Manchester City and level with Arsenal - albeit with an inferior goal difference - after losing at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The trio have all been involved in tight title races over the past five seasons, with City coming out on top in each occasion.
Pep Guardiola's men finished on 98 in 2019 as they pipped Liverpool to the post by a single point and repeated the feat three years later, finishing on 93 points to their rivals' 92.
Last season, City won the league with 89 points last season as they finished five ahead of Arsenal, despite the Gunners being top of the table for six months.
And Alexander-Arnold conceded Klopp's emotional farewell tour could play a major role in the run-in.
'Having the experience of being in a title race will be a massive part of getting over the line, but obviously Arsenal and Manchester City will have that from last season with their title race,' he said speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet,
'I think Jurgen Klopp leaving at the end of the season will feed into the title run in.
'The fear that it gets to May and it’s still tight, then it’ll feed into how it’s going to look and how it could feel up until then.'
Liverpool barely skipped a beat after Klopp's shock announcement of his decision to step down at the end of the season and looked on course for an unprecedent quadruple at one point.
Manchester United put paid to that as they knocked out their arch-rivals in an epic FA Cup quarter-final last month and then held them to a draw in the Premier League a week ago.
And on Sunday, Palace became the second team in three days to win at Anfield and keep Liverpool scoreless after Atalanta all but ended Liverpool's Europa League dreams by hammering them 3-0.
While City are in the box seat, Alexander-Arnold believes there will be more twists and turns between now and May 14 and has revealed Klopp has deliberately avoided any title talk.
'We just need to try and stay composed,' he said.
'The manager never says we’re trying to win the league, he doesn’t speak about it, but it’s more that we’re going to get the most out of ourselves, we’re going to squeeze every drop of potential there.
'There will be twists and turns no matter what, and I’m sure teams will try and win it, and we’ll come close to winning every single game between now and the end of the season, and we just hope we’re in the best position at the end of the season.'
Yeobdeiopr
0
I can sense that the excuses are already started and everyone is definitely sure about the twists and turns in fact the way he's saying those twists and turns they expecting from one side of City actually they are so sure that City will draw and lose one or two games but he don't want to say it very straight, such a coward
Any team can loose or draw in the league.We never expected to loose 1 - 0 to Crystal palace and so did Arsenal to Villa,so twist & turns are to be expected
Yeobdeiopr
0
What is the use of talking about a emotional farewell with silver ware to make it grand??? When the time gets nearer, they will then realise that Liverpool will likely to fall apart when he leaves! So when this finally sinks in, do you expect them to perform to their best knowing the next season is in jeopardy??? The news of Klopp leaving has psychological effects on the team and it already begins to show!
That's wishful thinking from an apposition fan
jipceiloyz
0
What is the use of talking about a emotional farewell with silver ware to make it grand??? When the time gets nearer, they will then realise that Liverpool will likely to fall apart when he leaves! So when this finally sinks in, do you expect them to perform to their best knowing the next season is in jeopardy??? The news of Klopp leaving has psychological effects on the team and it already begins to show!
Dohaepsy
0
please do it for Klopp
ribadeinor
1
Tottenham will hold city
IronBorn
1
only noise off the pitch and nothing on it
Lovebug2
1
Klopp will walk alone. Zanda Arnold will also limb alone
veecmpsuz
1
it was a nice tactical move from Klopp but the announcement was probably two months early if they wanted to ride that to the end of the season
Mpumey
3
I can sense that the excuses are already started and everyone is definitely sure about the twists and turns in fact the way he's saying those twists and turns they expecting from one side of City actually they are so sure that City will draw and lose one or two games but he don't want to say it very straight, such a coward
Wekkrsty
1
Just lose and come back to walk alone
kohcdklopz
1
only twist and turn was when man city will finally catch up and pass the rest.. history repeating itself..too bad for us. should have held on to the end.
hiyabmnstu
0
I think... we should jus try our level best to overcome Atalanta for the tittle we can win all the left games but I think no team can stop city for the tittle now
oga God way makes others loose go still city go loose also believe in god
zomikmt
2
I also think so and that’s exactly what I told a friend that we are struggling because of JK’s announcement but I pray the team will put this current lose aside and bounce back in grand style because I know WE NEVER WALK ALONE.
vakbdnotz
3
I think... we should jus try our level best to overcome Atalanta for the tittle we can win all the left games but I think no team can stop city for the tittle now