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• Jurgen Klopp: Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota give Liverpool ‘a chance’

  Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota gives their title hopes a much-needed boost.

  Defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend saw Klopp’s side drop to third as Manchester City moved into a two-point lead at the top of the table.

  But with results faltering, the performance by Alexander-Arnold in the Europa League win over Atalanta, particularly in the first half, has offered renewed hope.

  The defender was making his first start since mid-February after a knee injury and, while Jota has yet to have the same impact in three relatively short substitute appearances after a similar two-month lay-off, the clinical nature of his game could offset some of the deficiencies currently being experienced by his fellow forwards.

  “We need Trent Alexander-Arnold, of course, but we need him in a really good shape and form and that’s what he has to get up to,” said Klopp ahead of the trip to Fulham.

  “It’s not about him and it’s not his fault if he wouldn’t be, it’s just the situation. So how quick can we get him rolling if you want – the same for Diogo.

  “We have to find a way to help the boys in the best way, to bring them as quick as possible into their best form or shape and from there we have to go.

  “Without them we wouldn’t have a chance. With them we have a chance, with them in a really good football moment the chance gets bigger and bigger.”

  Klopp remains positive about their chances despite recent failures and feels six wins could see them snatch the title from the grasp of their rivals.

  Although a Europa League exit on aggregate was disappointing there were positives to take from the game.

  Alexander-Arnold’s display, drifting infield to dictate play and even popping up in the centre-forward’s position on occasions in Bergamo, was one and a first clean sheet in 10 matches was another.

  With struggles up front continuing – Liverpool have scored only two goals in the opening 15 minutes in a league game this season – a more solid backline offers a better platform and that is why Klopp is optimistic.

  “I don’t have a lot of qualities but I am always completely honest. If I don’t feel great the players feel it pretty quickly,” he said.

  “I cannot really deny or just keep it under the carpet so that means after the game against Palace people ask ‘What do you tell the team now?’.

  “But here we are a few days later and I feel absolutely great, I see the good in the situation where we are. It is fantastic.

  “The boys know that I don’t tell them things which I don’t believe in and I am 100 percent sure we can really win all of the games we will have to from now on.

  “What should influence us more: the last game, the last week or is it the chance in front of us?

  “I am fully (of the opinion) that there is a next chance for us and we can turn things absolutely around in all departments. We can make it still an outstanding season.

  “It will be a good season but of course how you look at it is in the end is massively influenced by the last part of it.”

• Des Buckingham feels heavy schedule caught up with Oxford

  Oxford boss Des Buckingham felt the heavy schedule of three games in six days took its toll on his team as they were held 1-1 by Stevenage at the Kassam Stadium.

  It means it is effectively no longer in Oxford’s hands to reach the League One play-offs because Lincoln are three points behind them with a game in hand and a superior goal difference.

  Buckingham felt the decision not to award the U’s a penalty when Marcus Browne appeared to have been fouled by keeper Craig MacGillivray in the first half was crucial.

  They had to come from behind as Stevenage went in front through a Sam Long own goal in the 32nd minute, Cameron Brannagan replying from the penalty spot on 58 minutes when Carl Piergianni fouled Ruben Rodrigues – though that appeared to have been outside the box.

  Buckingham said: “To play three games in six days is a big ask.

  “We had 26 shots but couldn’t get that second goal we needed.

  “There was a clear penalty not given in the first half, and for us that’s the second game in a row that one hasn’t been given when it should have been. It was a huge moment in the game, and very frustrating.

  “The referee told me he couldn’t see it, but the linesman was only 15 yards away and had a clear view.

  “I’m delighted with the performance but ultimately we’ve got just the four points from these three home games, now we need to make sure we prepare right and get three in the last one at Exeter.

  “When we looked to rearrange the Lincoln game we chose this week because it was a free week, then Sky told us they wanted to bring this Stevenage one forward and show it on the Friday night which meant three games in six days.

  “There was nothing we could do about it, but had we known they were going to do that, we would have played the Lincoln game another week.

  “It’s going to be a tight finish – I wouldn’t rule out Blackpool either, and they’ve got to play Barnsley.”

  Stevenage had lost manager Steve Evans in the week, with Evans heading north to become Rotherham boss.

  Caretaker boss Alex Revell said: “Steve always had two clubs very much in his heart – this one and Rotherham. Believe me, making the decision was probably the hardest thing he’s had to do, he said.

  “I wanted to take today and make the players ready. I really enjoyed it because they gave everything.

  “I’m very proud of what the lads did tonight.

  “We had a great day yesterday in terms of training and getting ready and trying to get a few bits into them.

  “They came to a really tough place and worked so hard for each other.

  “In spells we created some half-chances, probably not enough, but it was about showing our togetherness as a club and our spirit.

  “I think we showed why we have caused teams problems this season, especially with our energy and our workrate.

  “The first penalty shout against us was a penalty and should have been given so we got away with that.

  “But it doesn’t mean that something that started outside the box should be a penalty. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

• Mauricio Pochettino not expecting a vulnerable Man City in FA Cup semi-final

  Mauricio Pochettino warned his Chelsea players not to expect to come up against a vulnerable Manchester City side when the teams meet in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.

  City go into the game off the back of playing extra time against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night before eventually being knocked out on penalties, leaving less than 72 hours recovery time ahead of stepping out at Wembley.

  Pep Guardiola has had to deal with fatigue amongst his ranks in recent weeks, with midfielder Rodri admitting to needing a rest earlier this month. He was subsequently left out of the team for last weekend’s win over Luton at the Etihad Stadium but returned to the starting XI for the defeat to Real.

  They are still in contention to retain two of the three trophies they won last season, holding a two-point lead over Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League title race in addition to Saturday’s meeting with Pochettino’s side as they seek a third FA Cup triumph in six seasons.

  Chelsea will return to the scene of their Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool in February, after which they were heavily criticised for failing to overcome a Reds team decimated by injury.

  Jurgen Klopp’s side triumphed in extra time despite finishing the game with four highly inexperienced academy graduates aged 21 or under on the pitch.

  And Pochettino insisted there will be no easy ride for his players as City lick their European wounds.

  “The good example is Liverpool,” he said. “People were talking about too many injured players, how many young kids they had playing. Look what happened after.

  “From our point of view, we are going to compete against Manchester City. If you ask me about their situation, I can give my opinion, but we are not talking about that. We are going to compete against them.

  “Today we were preparing, doing meetings, about the Manchester City that played against Real Madrid, that played against us in the Premier League.

  “We are not talking about playing one (City line-up) or playing another. For me, the strength of Manchester City is that they keep the same idea and the same philosophy.

  “In the last five, six, seven years, even with different players, they play in the same way, they have the structure to dominate and to create chances and to win games and to win trophies.

  “I understand the situation is tough for them after playing 120 minutes in the Champions League. Emotionally, you expend a big energy. It’s about how they recover now.

  “They are going be competitive and they have an amazing staff that look after the players. They’re going to put 11 players that will play with full energy to try and win the game.”

  Pochettino will have Enzo Fernandez available for selection after he missed Monday’s 6-0 demolition of Everton.

  The manager said the World Cup winner’s fitness will be carefully managed following reports this week in Argentina that he requires a hernia operation.

  “We are not looking for heroes,” said Pochettino.