JURGEN Klopp has insisted that the outcome of Sunday’s Premier League clash between Manchester City and Liverpool will not decide which club will win the title.
The two sides go into Sunday’s blockbuster battle at the Etihad Stadium with just one point between them, Klopp’s Liverpool trailing the champions and leaders.
Liverpool have won each of their last 10 top-flight fixtures, reeling in City, but Klopp believes the race will stretch beyond Sunday’s clash.
When asked what kind of game he is expecting on Sunday during his pre-match press conference on Friday, the German said: “Actually, a good one. I know that very often it doesn’t happen when two top teams face each other.
“But I think our history with City shows that very often it was a pretty interesting watch because both teams really go for it and want to create opportunities, want to create chances, want to use momentum, want to use gaps, situations and all these kind of things. So, that’s why I expect an interesting football game, to be honest.”
He refused to accept projections that whoever wins on Sunday would emerge champions.
“I cannot decide what people think but we can just go through the possible results: if we win, we are two points up. If everybody thinks that’s done and dusted with the league, I cannot help,” he asserted.
“If we lose we are four points behind. If anyone thinks that’s it, I cannot change it, but I know nobody from a City point of view would think like that. If it’s a draw, one point behind. That’s it. A very important game, I’m really looking forward to it, one of the biggest challenges you can face in football, but that’s really nice, that’s why you do these kinds of things.
“Imagine we would still be 14 or 15 points behind, it would still be a great game but a lack of something – meaning less and these kind of things. So, it’s good. We qualified for a great game with the season we played so far and I’m really happy we can be part of it. I can imagine a lot of people will watch it and we give it a try, that’s all I can say.”
The two teams have won the last four Premier League titles between them, with City claiming three to Liverpool’s one. Klopp likens the rivalry to that of men’s tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
“It’s cool. The last four years or whatever since we stepped up a little bit and could close the gap to City slightly, it’s interesting, absolutely,” the former Borussia Dortmund manager noted.
“We push each other to incredible point tallies, madness, I would have never thought these kind of things are possible – especially not in this league. The consistency both teams showed in that period is absolutely crazy.
“We had our top year where we won the league, where there was a little gap. And obviously there were years – especially last year – when the gap [to City] was again big because we had our problems. Apart from that, it was always close, which I like. I always said, the closer you get the more likely it becomes you can overtake. But we know it is tough. What changed in these four years is everyone else thinks it’s tough as well when they face us, and that’s really good.
“Look, if you play professional football on the highest level your focus is on your own games. But there’s a moment in the season where you cannot avoid watching the table, you see one is catching up constantly, you have the same amount of wins and all these kind of things.’That’s normal. In sports I think what helps you the most is a strong opponent. In the long term especially it helps you the most. Not sure but I think especially [Rafa] Nadal and [Roger] Federer enjoyed a lot the rivalry they had. I’m not sure if they would still play if they would have won the tournaments [with] either hand. They enjoyed that and that’s how it is in sports. I wouldn’t say I am ‘thankful’ City are that good, but it didn’t deny our development. So, that’s it.”
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