Jurgen Klopp has already been warned by Southampton boss ahead of Liverpool clash

Guardiola's message for Southampton before Liverpool clash

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Liverpool travel to Southampton on Tuesday with anything other than a win seemingly not good enough to have any hopes of winning the Premier League. But Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has previously warned Jurgen Klopp of having a plan when Liverpool have been in this position.

Southampton boss Hasenhuttl has already warned Klopp’s side when competing with Manchester City for the title, as Liverpool simply have to win on Tuesday to keep their quadruple hopes alive.

City may have dropped points against West Ham on Sunday, but a spectacular comeback saw them avoid defeat, and if Liverpool fail to beat Southampton then the title will surely be returning to Manchester. If Liverpool lose against Southampton on Tuesday then then City will have retained their crown, but a win or a draw will take matters to the final day.

But Liverpool faced Southampton at a similar stage during the 2018/19 season when the Reds were ultimately pipped to the title by Pep Guardiola’s side. And Hasenhuttl wasn’t afraid of Liverpool then, and he may look to ‘surprise’ them again on Tuesday.

Back in April 2019, Liverpool and City were amidst a fantastic chase for the title, and not much has changed since as both sides have won the league since. But Hasenhuttl fired Liverpool a warning ahead of their visit to the south coast, and it’s likely to be similar atmosphere three years later.

Hasenhuttl said: “We showed it is not so easy if we have a plan and surprise them and can cause problems against the big teams. They know this, believe in this and the guys show up. We have to pay attention and not fear the moment.

“The team believes, that is important, and know now that teams are coming where we must take the points.” And it’s likely that Hasenhuttl will rally his troops again, and City will no doubt be watching on in anticipation.

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Southampton’s efforts didn’t work back in 2019, as Liverpool left it late to come from a goal down and win 3-1. And Klopp was extremely proud of his side for their efforts in a tough game.

Liverpool were far from their best, something which they haven’t been recently despite winning the FA Cup final on Saturday. They struggled against Tottenham, and were exposed temporarily against Villarreal, but perhaps Klopp’s earlier admission proves exactly why they continue to defy the odds.

Klopp has previously said that at this stage of the season it isn’t purely about performances, but about “fighting” as they must grind out results. “I told the boys we have a good mentality among us,” Klopp said after beating Southampton back in 2019.

“We were well organised, we pressed high and were everywhere on the pitch. They deserved their early goal but we adjusted to the situation, stayed calm and waited for our moment.

“The performance was not at the top level but at this stage it is about fighting. People want us to play like Manchester City but we are unable to do that, so we play our own football.”

Liverpool’s own style of football has not only kept them within touching distance of the Premier League title, but it has also earned them the domestic cup double already this season. And they still have a Champions League final to play as they battle Real Madrid for European glory.

City may be overwhelming favourites to defend their title this season, but their lack of fight that Klopp prioritises continues to see them dumped out of Europe. It should have been City in the final against Liverpool, but despite leading by two goals on aggregate with five minutes remaining, they still managed to lose to Madrid.

Liverpool already have two trophies under their belts, and it could be a fantastic treble if they can overcome Madrid in Paris. The league is out of their hands though, and not only do they have to beat both Southampton and Wolves, they have to hope that Aston Villa beat City on the final day.

Of course the script is written, but this is City, and they perhaps took part in one of the most crazy twists in Premier League history as Sergio Aguero won their first title. However, with Steven Gerrard in charge of Villa he could help Liverpool defy the odds. And maybe this time, City could be on the receiving end of history.

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