Jurgen Klopp hit out at Liverpool’s critics and said this would not be his team’s last chance to win a Premier League title.
Liverpool have endured an indifferent run of form, holding a one-point lead at the top despite drawing three of their past four league games.
His Reds entertain Watford on Wednesday in a game many are now describing as a ‘must-win’ for them, even though there will be another 10 games of the Premier League season remaining after it.
Klopp’s feelings are rather different, with the manager pointing out that City were almost unique last season in strolling through the campaign without any setbacks.
The Reds are without a league title since 1990, leading to even greater pressure on the club to end their drought.
But ahead of hosting Watford on Wednesday, manager Klopp reminded his side’s doubters there would be other opportunities.
“This is not our last chance – that’s a very important thing. This is our first chance. There’s a massive difference,” the German told UK newspapers.
“Is that really the only chance we have to become champions? I’m not sure. With the first chance, you jump in and then see if it works out.”
Asked if the expectation of that wait troubles him, he replied: “Not a little bit. It’s just all around.
“Obviously a lot of teams before us tried to be champion and it didn’t work out, so it was always the manager or the team or other stuff like that.
“No plant grows as quick as expectations here. From the media as well. It’s like you get an eye problem when you have to watch our football now, compared to when we played such wonderful football a few weeks ago.
“Come on, who believes we won’t win a game any more? But immediately they say you have to win all 11 games now! When you hear it you think, ‘That’s a bit difficult.’
“One generation has to break through, to make it happen and then for the rest it will be easier. It could be nice if we could be that.”