‘Klopp’s Liverpool are the only team that can stop Guardiola’s Man City’

  • Bookmark

    • For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter

    We have more newsletters

    Jurgen Klopp knows Liverpool cannot compete financially with Manchester City.

    Yet there’s no doubt the Reds boss will be plotting how he can get his side back competing with them on the pitch again – even if they can’t in the transfer market.

    That’s because Klopp and Liverpool are the only ones in England who have been able to truly take on Pep Guardiola’s side over the last six years. But for Liverpool, it would have been six titles in six years for the blue half of Manchester.

    Their Premier League title triumph in 2020 is ageing like a fine wine as City continue to dominate and have now taken their conquest to the continent with the European Cup success this month.

    READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp's agent responds to German media's SOS plea for Liverpool boss

    For all the talk of Arsenal pushing City in the title race, the Gunners didn’t have the firepower to take it to the last day. Manchester United finished second two times but were so far behind they could barely be seen in the rear-view mirror.

    Liverpool have not only won one title, they’ve gone to game 38 on two occasions and made sure City had to win to get over the line. They’ve reached 97 points (with one loss) and 92 – yet still finished second.

    The Reds have reached three European Cup finals since 2018 while City have made it to two with one triumph each. It’s been THE rivalry in England.

    But now Liverpool must grow again to be able to take on Guardiola and Co. once more. Because last season, Klopp’s side faltered, fractured and fell way off the pace.

    Do you think Liverpool will be back stronger next season? Let us know in the comments section.

    There were excuses in 2021 when they were miles behind City. COVID, injuries to their key defenders and empty grounds were pointed at.

    There were also injuries last season, but the Reds looked like a side jaded by a Quadruple quest and broken by their pursuit of perfection to challenge City.

    Klopp himself cut a tetchy figure at times. He’d signed a new deal in April 2022 when it felt like the team was ready to keep pushing. Then a year on it must have felt like the task had become even bigger than he thought.

    There has been an acceptance that last summer was when the realisation set in there would need to be an overhaul in certain areas. Not a complete rebuild, but a renovation, and it would take time.

    Along with Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, the style of play was tinkered with after the arrival of Darwin Nunez and later Cody Gakpo. But the Reds struggled for consistency over the course of the campaign and could argue little that fifth was less than they deserved.

    They knew the failure to land Aurelien Tchouameni last year would be costly but then decided Jude Bellingham would not be enough on his own to transform an ageing midfield.

    The pursuit of the England midfielder was called off, instead pushing for numerous additions.

    Alexis Mac Allister has arrived at what could prove to be a snip even if it is closer to the £55m suggested figure than the other cited of £35m. While it appears likely that one or two of Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone or Ryan Gravenberch could also arrive. Maybe Moises Caicedo if a fee is realistic.

    There are expected to be additions in other positions, too.

    The work has begun but more is needed over the coming weeks with Klopp now alongside new sporting director and old friend Jorg Schmadtke to get deals done. They will hope that should the right players arrive, last season will be seen as a blip rather than a sign that someone else will need to take on the mantle of chasing City.

    Those around them are strengthening, though. Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle will all want to improve while Brighton and Aston Villa may continue to grow.

    Liverpool have been City’s only real challengers for the last six years but now they face the challenge of proving they can do it once more.

    • Liverpool FC
    • Manchester City FC
    • Premier League
    • Jurgen Klopp
    • Pep Guardiola
    • Deals

    Source: Read Full Article