Jurgen Klopp responds to Pep Guardiola’s reaction by saying his city is not behind the title challenge | football news
Jurgen Klopp has dismissed Pep Guardiola’s claims that “everyone in this country” is supporting Liverpool in the Premier League title race by pointing out that only half of the city is the same.
The Reds will visit Aston Villa on Tuesday live Sky Sports With the aim of reducing the difference with Manchester City, who advanced by three points on Sunday, beating Newcastle 5-0.
Guardiola And he claimed after the victory that “everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone.” As City progressed to winning the Premier League for the fourth time in five seasons.
But Klopp, whose side drew 1-1 with Tottenham on Saturday, responded by saying only half of Liverpool wanted them to win the title. The Liverpool boss believes Guardiola’s comments came in the heat of the moment, just as Klopp criticized Tottenham’s style after the draw at Anfield.
“I live in Liverpool, so yes, here a lot of people want us to win the league, it’s true, but even here it’s probably only 50 per cent,” he said in his pre-match press conference, referring to rivals Everton.
“As a coach, and I had that experience recently after the (Tottenham) game, we were very impressed with the game, the situation, I said – would I say it again, no – after the game ‘They play as they play and they are still only fifth.’ My feeling at that moment and I couldn’t respect Antonio (Conte) more and what he’s doing.
“After getting out of the Champions League, that was already difficult enough, but then, of course, Liverpool got to the final. You have such things as, ‘They played Villarreal and we played Real’ and you say what you say. It is [Guardiola] Right, I was right about fifth and Tottenham, and he was right to win the Premier League only once.
“I have no idea if the whole country supports us, not the feeling we get when we go places, quite the opposite. He probably knows more about it than I do.”
Liverpool now need to hope that City falter in the remaining three games to give them a chance to win the Premier League, but coach Klopp stressed that the title race is not over yet.
“Obviously it’s not over because we both have three matches, and what concerns me is how we can win our matches,” he said.
“We have absolutely no role in how City play their games but before they are played we shouldn’t add any points. We don’t and I’m sure City don’t. [Until] It is no longer accessible, so why stop believing? “
Klopp will try to change the perspective of his players despite falling three points behind City, to improve their mood after losing points at Anfield for the first time in 2022.
He said, “We can just take it as it was, we drew, they won. It makes the score three points and the goal difference changes as well. Or you can see it like we were six points behind and we lost and won.” .
“We were flying and we couldn’t wait to play Aston Villa. As human beings we can decide for ourselves how to see them. There are some facts but we are allowed to ignore them and then I try to help the boys see them like I do.
“Let’s say we won the last game and lost. That doesn’t make the Aston Villa match easier; it just gives a better perspective that I think is also important.”
Liverpool match schedule:
Tuesday – Aston Villa (A) English Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 14 Chelsea (Wembley) FA Cup Final
May 17 Southampton (A) English Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 22 – wolves (h) Premier League
May 28 real madrid UEFA Champions League Final
Manchester City final matches in the English Premier League
Wednesday – wolves (a) English Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 15 – West Ham (A) English Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 22 – Aston Villa (at home) Premier League