The gap at the top of the Premier League has been cut to three points over the past week
Before Liverpool faced Leicester City at Anfield on January 30, they knew that a win would take seven points ahead of Manchester City in the title race. They drew that game, but City’s loss away to Newcastle United meant that their lead was extended to five points.
Prior to their game against West Ham United on Monday – which followed City’s win over Arsenal on Sunday – Jurgen Klopp’s team knew it was an opportunity to return their lead at the top to five points. Once again they drew, shrinking their lead to three points.
The manner of these two consecutive draws, which saw Liverpool take the lead in both games before being pegged back, has seen the Reds hit with accusations that they are beginning to feel the pressure in their quest to return to the league title to Anfield for the first time in 29 years.
That theory – that Liverpool are feeling nerves – was something posed to defender Andy Robertson by Sky Sports after Monday’s match at the London Stadium, and the Scottish left-back was quick to dismiss any such talk.
“People are going to be saying two points gone against Leicester, two tonight, nerves are showing – what do you say?” asked the reporter, in a question immediately welcomed by a grimace from Robertson.
“I wouldn’t say nerves are showing – did anyone say that when City picked up no points at Palace and Leicester? I don’t think they did,” he said.
“It’s no different for us. A lot of people talk about pressure because we’ve never been in this position but it’s February. I think everyone needs to relax and try and enjoy the run-in if you’re fans.
“Many other teams would want to be in the position we’re in just now, so, nerves aren’t showing in the changing room. It’s just two poor results and poor performances, which happens during a long season. We might look back on it as a good point.
“We don’t know that just now, but we’ve got to get back to playing the better football that we can, but it’s nothing to do with nerves.”
'Nobody said that when City picked up no points against Palace and Leicester.' 🤷♂@LFC's Andy Robertson says the players are not showing nerves in the @premierleague title race and that there is still a long way to go. pic.twitter.com/LYPpgQheYO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 5, 2019
