Title race heats up: Pochettino refuses to write off chasing pack

Tottenham take on Liverpool hoping to hang onto Leicester’s coattails

LIVERPOOL: Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham are not the only side capable of overhauling Leicester in the Premier League title race as his side faces Liverpool today at Anfield, five points behind the leaders with seven games remaining.

Their manager, though, is keen to deflect attention away from Tottenham’s position as the main challengers to Claudio Ranieri’s men.

“At the moment we compete with different teams — not only Leicester, but Arsenal, Manchester City, United, West Ham and Southampton have the possibility [to win the title]. It’s mathematically possible,” insisted Pochettino. “Seven games is a lot of points. You never know in football. We need to be focused in every game. It’s not just a race between Leicester and us.”

And while the Argentine remains confident of his side’s chances, he refuses to rule out others. “I am realistic. In football anything can happen. We believe we can win the title, but other teams have the possibility to fight with us. I’m realistic. I’m not polite,” he said. “We’re in a position, a very good position, and we cannot compare with another team.”



A run of seven matches in 22 days is set to test Liverpool’s squad to the limit as they attempt to finish a turbulent season with tangible reward.

Defeat at Southampton just before the international break left Jurgen Klopp’s side seven points adrift of the top four with seven matches to play.

Liverpool’s boss has attempted to keep his players fresh for the challenges ahead — the squad members who have not been on international duty were taken on a warm-weather training break to Tenerife last week.

“It was brilliant,” said midfielder Lucas Leiva. “Something like that has never happened before. It’s great credit to the manager for having the idea to take all the players who were not on international duty and the staff as well.”



Arsenal have screwed up, admits Ozil

Mesut Ozil has delivered a damning assessment of Arsenal’s season by admitting Arsene Wenger’s side have ‘screwed up’ in their Premier League title challenge.

The Gunners go into their home game with Watford 11 points adrift of Leicester but with a game in hand.

The chances of them closing that gap are slim, adding to Arsenal’s sense of regret after being regarded as favourites for long periods in the campaign.



“Looking at our season so far, we have to be honest and admit that we screwed up ourselves,” said Ozil. “We did not play to our potential against the so-called smaller teams. You get punished for that in the Premier League. But we still have a chance of winning the title.”

Ozil also admits he would like to pull off an unlikely triumph to reward his manager. “I would be delighted for Wenger if we win the title. He played a major role in my decision to join Arsenal. He was desperate to sign me,” he added. “Everybody knows he is an extraordinary manager.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd,  2016.              

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