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Premier League title out of reach for Liverpool, says Mane
Liverpool ripped up the record books last season on the way to their first English top-flight title in 30 years, but a season marred by injuries and poor form has left the club sixth and trailing leaders Manchester City by 19 points.
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Magic Mane: Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane celebrates scoring during an English Premier League soccer match against Watford at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on Wednesday. Liverpool won 5-0.
(AFP/Anthony Devlin)
Liverpool's Premier League title hopes are over and the main target now is to win the Champions League, forward Sadio Mane said.
Liverpool ripped up the record books last season on the way to their first English top-flight title in 30 years, but a season marred by injuries and poor form has left the club sixth and trailing leaders Manchester City by 19 points.
"Our target from the beginning was the Champions League, the Premier League and also Cup games. And now, I can say it's over for the Premier League ... it's too much," Mane told ESPN.
"In our head, it's always 'never give up' and we won't give up, but for sure, City are a good team and they're flying."
Mane said Liverpool will shift focus to Europe. The Anfield club defeated RB Leipzig 2-0 in the round of 16 first leg last week.
"The Champions League, that is our main target," he said. "To win it, not be second, but it won't be easy.
"You're going to face the best teams in Europe, but we're here to beat the best in the world.
Last week Liverpool suffered a defeat in the hands of Everton which left them mulling a host of far less flattering statistics.
Their 2-0 defeat at Anfield was their first loss at home to city rivals Everton since 1999 and was a fourth home league defeat in succession -- something they have not experienced since 1924.
Manager Juergen Klopp's hopes of retaining their Premier League crown were already effectively over after a spectacular drop in form since defeat by Burnley ended a 68-match run without a home league loss.
But Everton's win -- courtesy of a third-minute goal by Richarlison and a controversial penalty scored by Gylfi Sigurdsson -- means Liverpool are now in a scrap to even finish the season in the top four.
Everton's first win of any description over Liverpool since 2010 -- after a run of 23 games without a victory -- lifted Carlo Ancelotti's seventh-placed side level with the champions on 40 points although they have played a game less.
Liverpool remained in sixth spot but are three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea who drew 1-1 at Southampton.
