Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp dismisses Premier League title 'favourites' tag

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he does not care if his side are now considered favourites to win the Premier League.

Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Brighton, combined with Manchester City and Arsenal’s goalless draw, lifted the Reds back to the top of the table with just nine matches remaining.

Of the three teams vying for top spot, Liverpool arguably have the kindest run-in, with football data experts Opta's predictive model making them favourites with a 47.7 per cent chance of claiming the title, compared to Manchester City (33.5 per cent) and Arsenal (18.8 per cent).

However, those numbers were crunched ahead of a full midweek fixture list, and Klopp was eager to stress the title picture could look very different by the time they play again at the weekend.

“[Being favourites] is nothing we are obviously aware of. The situation is, for us, Sheffield United, and not who is the favourite,” Klopp said ahead of Thursday’s home game against the rock-bottom Blades.

“I am pretty sure when we lost at Arsenal [on February 4] we were not favourites after that – maybe rightly so – but I don’t know and I don’t care.

“One of the most important things to get through this period is to ignore the outside ‘mess’ as it goes up and down and is emotional.

“We have to be professional – be emotional but in the right way – and be the best version of ourselves, play the best football we can play and then let’s see what the outcome is.

“There are no guarantees, there are just opportunities. The clearer the opportunity, the more likely you can take it.”

Liverpool will be the last of the title chasers to play this week, with City and Arsenal in action on Wednesday, but Klopp says he will not be watching their games.

“I didn’t even know they