Liverpool responded to recent setbacks by beating Bournemouth 2-1 for a record 22nd home league win on Saturday. The Reds, who followed up defeat at Atletico Madrid, Watford and Chelsea across competitions, can now win the league title at home on March 21 thanks to City's defeat against United in the Manchester derby. Those three defeats, however, have put a question mark over an otherwise brilliant season for Jurgen Klopp and his players. But club legend Emile Heskey felt that defeats are part and parcel of the game, and Liverpool shouldn't worry. (More Football News)
While in Delhi as part of the LFC World roadshow entourage, the former England striker said that Liverpool and Klopp should not be concerned about the recent defeats. "You have blips in seasons. I don't think Liverpool need to be too concerned about that. They need to refocus and go again," Heskey told Outlook in an exclusive interview.
And that's what Liverpool did, by setting a top-flight record with a come from behind win against Bournemouth in front of a packed Anfield crowd.
After decades of near misses, Liverpool are the champions-elect in England and are six points away from realising their dreams of winning the league for the first time in a long 30 years. Now that they are the brink of a first Premier League title, with wins against Everton at Goodison Park and Crystal Palace, talks of celebrations have dominated the football circles irrespective of the threats posed by the coronavirus outbreak.
Reds (82 points from 29 matches) now lead City (57 points from 28 matches) by 25 points. And with only 10 games left for the champions, City can have a maximum of 87 points. So, 88 points will be enough for Liverpool.
Heskey matter of factly said that fans and players are not thinking about it. "I don't think Liverpool are looking that far ahead, to be honest. It's a case of taking a game at a time. We still need to win four [now two] more games to win the title. And the lads are very aware of that fact," the 42-year-old said.
In a season which has witnessed the ruthlessness of Klopp's 'heavy metal football,' Liverpool invariably face a tough test against Atletico in the return leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash at Anfield. Trailing 0-1, the champions of Europe can face another premature exit with a defeat or draw.
Talking about the match, Heskey admitted that Liverpool were up against a disciplined Atletico side with Diego Simeone in charge. He said Liverpool need the support of their fans, their 12th man, when the Atletico arrived at Anfield this week.
"Simeone's team set-up really well, very solid and all the tactics were right. But I don't think Liverpool would be disappointed with the second leg coming at Anfield. We will have a go there," the 42-year-old added.
Heskey rose through Leicester youth ranks, then after six seasons with his boyhood club, he joined Liverpool in 2000 on a then a club-record transfer fee of GBP 11m. Now, a legend in his own right, Heskey is a widely quoted expert when it comes to footballing matters. And the question of coaching automatically came up.
"I haven't got all the badges. I have got my Level 2 coaching badge though. But you never know in the future," he cautiously said.
In a successful career, Heskey won six trophies including a treble of the FA Cup, League Cup and the UEFA Cup in 2000-01 with Liverpool and a memorable trophy with Leicester.
