Jurgen Klopp claims Liverpool are within ‘punching distance’ of Premier League title in 2023 after double winning year
JURGEN KLOPP has hailed Liverpool’s double winning year in 2022 and warned they remain within “punching distance” of the title in 2023.
The Reds, who won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this year, return to Prem action at Aston Villa today, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.
The German says he is ready to kick on in 2023, but also reflected on the harrowing scenes at the Champions League final when Reds fans were tear gassed outside the ground in Paris.
Klopp said: “From a sports point of view, 2022 was a pretty successful year I would say.
“It started with the Carabao Cup final. The FA Cup final was special, I enjoyed it so much.
“Then the league was pretty spectacular.
“We were close again, I know that’s not that much appreciated, I get that, when you come close. But from a coach’s point of view I am pretty proud of that.
“The Champions League final, Mr Courtois had a pretty good day.
“We did quite well but it didn’t feel that night, it didn’t feel for different reasons which we didn’t know exactly directly after the game when we were already down.
“But when we heard the stories from our families what happened around the stadium, it was a clear it was a special night for the wrong reasons.
“So it will not be a Champions League final we will remember for the rest of our lives.”
Klopp added: “The new season starts, it didn’t work out exactly like we expected. But that’s how life is, you have to deal with the circumstances.
“We fought ourselves through and we are now in punching distance and that is all I need.
“And from here we go again, I can’t wait. For New Year’s Eve and then for 2023, and try to learn from the mistakes we or other people made in 2022 and work together and help each other and make it the best year of our lives. Let’s try together.”