Man City’s rivalry helps Liverpool’s development, says Klopp
Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
Manchester City will host Liverpool this Sunday at the Etihad Stadium which may probably be the decider on who lifts the 2021/22 Premier League trophy.
The match which has stirred up tension from both Premier League teams will be a cracker following the rivalry that exists between them.
Manchester City is a point ahead of Liverpool with eight games left to run for the title and the latter having put in a tough contest to mount pressure on the league leader, are hoping to topple the host on the table this weekend.
In a pre-match press conference, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp stated that the consistency in both teams has been tough, The Trumpet gathered.
He said that over the years, the tussle between both clubs has shifted rivalry from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal and concentrated it between the two clubs.
Admittedly, Klopp confessed that the challenge existing between both clubs has helped in improving the performance of the team.
He said, “Yes! The consistency both teams have shown over the period is crazy. We know it’s tough. What has changed in the four years since everybody else thinks it’s tough?
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“Probably, If you play professional football at the highest level, the focus is on your games.
“In sport, I think what helps the most is a strong opponent. In the long term, especially. I think [Rafael] Nadal and [Roger] Federer enjoyed the rivalry they had. That’s how it is in sports. I wouldn’t say I’m thankful City is that good, but it didn’t harm our development,” he added.
Disregarding people’s opinions about the possible outcome of the match, Klopp accepted that the game will be an interesting contest.
He continued: “I’m expecting a good game. I know very often that doesn’t happen. But it should be an interesting match because both teams will go for it.
“I cannot decide what people think, but we can just go through the possible results,” he said.
The Liverpool boss in a brief analysis of Sunday’s game noted that whatever the outcome would be, it does not decide who wins the league.
He said, “If we win, we are two points ahead. We lose, we’re four points behind. If it’s a draw, one point behind – that is it. Does anyone think that’s done and dusted?
“If we were fourteen or fifteen points behind, it would still be a good game. We’ve qualified for a good game with the season we’ve played so far,” he added.
