Jurgen Klopp insists he has no timetable to make Liverpool league champions
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he has no timetable to make the club league champions again but is confident if they maintain their current progress they will be on track.
Wednesday's visit of Chelsea, the deposed Barclays Premier League title holders, pits two sides who would have expected to be challenging for the top this year but are instead in eighth and ninth respectively.
The German promised when he arrived in mid-October that he would win titles at Anfield but has set himself no time-limits on that and his only requirement is the team keeps on improving.
"I'm not too interested in when Chelsea can next win the title and I have no idea when we can but I promise we will try everything to build on the base of this season," said Klopp, who is preparing for his 50th match in charge.
"We can get sixth position, it isn't the biggest success in the history of Liverpool, but everyone interested in Liverpool can see the good signs and we will build on it.
"We have to improve and I am sure we will. A lot of things need to be perfect for a really good season.
"I'm really looking forward to next season, to pre-season, but this season we are still looking for what we can get."
Chelsea's hierarchy are still to declare whether John Terry will stay or go, but interim boss Guus Hiddink reckons the defender deserves a public farewell if he is leaving this summer.
Terry is out of contract at the end of this season and in January said he would not be extending his stay.
Chelsea insisted an offer may be forthcoming, but there has been no news on his future.
Terry had not anticipated the campaign ending in suspension and a finish of ninth place in the Barclays Premier League, at best.
Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were among the distinguished players who departed Stamford Bridge without a goodbye.
And some supporters are planning to protest at the likely departure of 'Captain, Leader, Legend' Terry at the final two games of a disappointing season.
"Whatever will happen, whether he stays, whether he goes - in the last option, he deserves a huge goodbye," Hiddink said.
"(But) it's never goodbye with those players, because I think in the near future, whatever happens, those players, after a period of going away and calming down, they can have a big impact in clubs."
Chelsea striker Loic Remy (groin) and defender Kurt Zouma (knee) are out of contention against Liverpool.
Klopp is likely to restore most of his first-choice players after resting eight at the weekend.
Source: PAR
