Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates ‘little step’ forward with clean sheet in Chelsea draw

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described a 0-0 home draw with Chelsea on Saturday as “a little step” forward.

The German has overseen a so-far disappointing season for Liverpool and they finished the game in eighth place, nine points off fourth place Newcastle in the Premier League.

A point leaves them on the same points as Chelsea, 29, who are two places beneath them, though Graham Potter’s men have played 20 league games, one more than Liverpool.

It appears that a place in next year’s Champions League is far from likely and any hopes for major success remain in this year’s European competition, with Liverpool to play Real Madrid at Anfield on February 21.

Both Chelsea and Liverpool were far from their best as they played out their stalemate in the day’s early kick-off, and Klopp acknowledged minor successes of a clean sheet and periods of decent play.

“We had good spells but couldn’t keep it up,” he told BT after the game.

“We have to be ready for little steps, and this is a little step. We didn’t concede against Chelsea, which is good.

“We didn’t create an awful lot of chances but we had them. We defended more with passion than clear organisation, so in the end I am OK with 0-0. You have to accept it. Both teams were very aggressive. It was hectic in moments. We have to build on stuff.”

Liverpool utility player James Milner earlier struck a similar note.

“We always want to win our home games,” he began. “We know the situation we’re in. Everything feels a bit more difficult. But we’ve got to stick together and keep working hard. It’s pleasing to get a clean sheet, that’s where we’ve got to start, get that base.

“You saw the fight. We had chances to win the game. There’s things to work on, but it’s a step in the right direction. We’re in a tough period. We’ve obviously got a long way to go to where we want to be.”

Liverpool’s next game is a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion next Sunday.