Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp accepts it will be a tough enough battle just to qualify for the Champions League this season before he can even think about their title defence.
The goalless draw at home to current Premier League leaders Manchester United, in conjunction with Leicester’s win on Saturday and Manchester City’s victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday night, saw Klopp’s side drop to fourth.
That is only five points ahead of ninth-placed West Ham and, in this most unusual of seasons, with points being dropped by all teams, the Reds boss is aware the competition is likely to be closer than ever.
In the season when we came second (2018-19), the day when I started really thinking about the title race was the day when it was clear that we are in the Champions League,” he said.
“I know my job and I know what I have to do. The most important thing is to qualify for the Champions League and I know how difficult it is. This season will be a tough race for the top four. True.
“I have no idea and I cannot decide how people look at it. I know that football fans in general are not the most patient species on this planet, so they want to win each football game.
“I’m not too different to that but I am long enough in the business to know that you have to go through more difficult periods as well.
“It’s not the most difficult in my life – not even close to it – so it’s just a situation where we play football and have had injuries, still have injuries but got used to the injuries we had in the long term and now players coming back.”
