Jurgen Klopp has warned rivals Liverpool it will be up to them to keep their place at the top of the Premier League as life “gets harder” for all of them.

The Reds, along with Manchester City, have been among the league’s elite in recent seasons, but have suffered a significant setback this time around and sit in ninth place midway through the current season.

While Klopp liked to praise his rivals for topping the table, he warned the likes of Erik ten Hag and Mikel Arteta, at Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, that maintaining that kind of form is the real challenge.

“Consistency really is the hardest thing in football and we’ll see how it goes with other teams,” said Klopp.

“How they deal with little falls, injuries, all that sort of thing. But it is very likely that staying in the league, qualifying for Europe, the Champions League and especially Champions will become more difficult for everyone up there. Because of the quality of the teams, the money and the quality of the coaches, it’s going to be absolutely difficult.”

Liverpool and Chelsea have both fallen out of European qualification places this season, with Newcastle, Fulham, Brighton and Brentford taking the lead to disrupt the Premier League’s traditional ‘Big Six’.

Klopp argued injuries have not helped his side perform at their best this season, but insisted their current struggles will not leave a negative stain on his record at Liverpool.

“If you look at this team 20 years ago, people will say, ‘What a time. Wow,'” Klopp said. “Will they talk about this season? So far we haven’t given them much motivation, but we’re still in two cups and we’re not giving up in the league. why should we?

“We have to take some steps. There are still many games to play and we will be ready. But I can’t speak here as if we have already won them, so we have to fight, be positive, work hard and take the next step. Extend your good spells and be yourself in a game much longer. This is what we will do and we will see where we end up.”

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Much of the talk in recent days has focused on Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, who has been linked with a move to Anfield but will miss today’s FA Cup match after making a statement about his future.

This will give Jurgen Klopp’s side a much needed boost as they look to avenge their recent defeat to the Seagulls and secure a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Players such as Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all secured their way to the next stage of the competition, but the Reds will know a strong performance is needed if they are to join them.

On the transfer front, Klopp’s side are said to be eyeing Montpellier striker Elye Wahi, while a prediction has been made about Caicedo’s future. It has been just two weeks since a stunned Jurgen Klopp was forced to walk to the end and apologize to Liverpool’s disgruntled fanbase.

Now the Reds boss hopes to greet the traveling Kop in a different mood as his players quickly return to the scene of his worst afternoon as manager.

History can judge the 3-0 Premier League defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion as a line in the sand when it comes to the evolution of the Liverpool team under Klopp, the point of no return if not necessarily for individual players, so make sure they start their games together.

The change has already begun. An inexperienced midfield trio featuring 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic – whose progress was rewarded with a new contract on Thursday – Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita helped the Reds secure their second January visit to the AMEX stadium this afternoon with a replay of the third of FA Cup round win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and kept their place as Liverpool drew goalless at home to Chelsea last weekend. “I liked the pace,” Klopp said. “I liked the mix of offensive and defensive preparation – I liked that. It wasn’t the three alone, because the three can’t do anything alone, but the front line did it very well, Its very important for us.

“Brighton, a lot of things are clear about what you do. You must respect and defend this. If you don’t, you’re screwed, there’s no doubt.”

It’s barely two weeks since a confused Jurgen Klopp was forced to go to the away game and apologize to a disgruntled Liverpool fanbase.

Now the Reds boss is hoping to welcome the traveling Kop in a different mood as his players quickly return to the scene of his worst afternoon as manager.

History can see the 3-0 Premier League defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion as a wrench in the sand when it comes to Liverpool’s squad development under Klopp, the point of no return if not necessarily for the players individual, then certainly to start games together.

The change has already begun. An unprecedented midfield trio of 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic – whose advances were rewarded with a new contract on Thursday – Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita helped the Reds end January’s second visit to the AMEX Stadium with a repeat victory in the third round of the FA. Cup at Wolverhampton Wanderers and retained their place as Liverpool drew 0-0 at home to Chelsea last weekend. “I loved the pace,” says Klopp. “I liked the mix of attacking stuff and defensive readiness – I liked that. It wasn’t just the three because the three alone can’t do anything, but the front lines did really well too, that’s really important for us.” . Brighton, many things are clear about what they do. You have to respect it and defend it. If you don’t, you’re screwed, there’s no doubt.”

Of course, players like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson know that if they are to force their way back into the roster, they will have to deal with the form issues that have severely hampered them this season. Opportunities will arise, but the current triumvirate is the men in possession.

Events on the South Coast earlier this month are still ongoing for Klopp and will likely continue for some time to come. The effects are just beginning. “It’s still the worst game I’ve ever seen,” says the Reds boss. “Pretty much everything went wrong. We had to completely change the approach, not just against Brighton but in general.

“We did very well at times during the games (against Wolves and Chelsea). I think the first half against Chelsea was very disciplined. Chelsea are a very good football team and we didn’t let them down. a lot of leeway, which is important.