Jurgen Klopp has refuted speculation that he is set to quit as Liverpool manager after his odds were slashed from 50/1 to 8/11 in the Premier League sack race betting.
The Reds' mid-season slump, which has seen win just three times in 12 matches since thrashing Crystal Palace 7-0 on December 19, went from bad to worse on Saturday when a late collapse saw them surrender a 1-0 lead to lose 3-1 at Leicester.
Klopp admitted afterwards that his side's title defence is over, as they now sit 13 points behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more.
His sack race odds quickly plummeted, with club legend Steven Gerrard even installed as odds-on favourite to replace him.
But the German, who has won both the Premier League and Champions League during his time as Liverpool boss, was in a much more jovial mood on Monday.
"We are absolutely OK and ready to go," said Klopp.
"The banner [of support erected by fans at Anfield] is nice, I don't feel that I need special support but it is very nice.
"I don’t need a break. The last thing I want to do is to talk about private things.
"Yes we have had a tough time but we always deal with this as a family 100%."
- Jose Mourinho - 5/2
- Jurgen Klopp - 3/1
- Roy Hodgson - 4/1
- No manager to leave - 8/1
- Steve Bruce - 8/1
- Sam Allardyce - 12/1
(Odds correct at 14:30 15/02/21)
Klopp's incredible shortening from 50/1 at Saturday lunchtime to 8/11 only 24 hours later is likely a result of rumours circulating that he could be set to resign.
It even led to Paddy Power, for a short time, backing Kop favourite Gerrard as the man to replace him
They cut his odds on being the next man in the Anfield hotseat to 10/11 before the former Liverpool and England captain slowly drifted back out to second favourite and 5/2, behind Klopp's current assistant Pep Lijnders (6/4).
Liverpool manager odds: Steven Gerrard to Anfield?
Gerrard currently has Rangers on the verge of clinching a first Scottish Premiership title since 2010/11.
But his imminent arrival as Klopp's replacement now looks far less likely, with the German playing down the weekend speculation during a punchy press conference ahead of Liverpool's Champions League last-16 tie with RB Leipzig.
"I am 53, I’ve worked as a coach for 30 years and I can split off things. I don't carry things around," Klopp explained.
"Of course we are influenced by things, but no-one has to worry about me. The beard gets more and more grey, I don’t sleep a lot, but I‘m full of energy.
"Now we are in this situation I see it as a challenge."
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