Jurgen Klopp warns Liverpool FC about competitive title race
Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp says the Reds will face more competition for the Premier League title next term
Jurgen Klopp has warned that it won’t be a straight shootout between Liverpool FC and Manchester City for the Premier League title next season.
The Reds finished in second place in the Premier League table last term after the Merseyside outfit finished a point adrift of champions Manchester City.
Liverpool FC’s only defeat came in a 2-1 loss to the title holders at The Etihad in January as Klopp’s side finished with the best defensive record in the top flight.
The 18-time English champions became the first Premier League team to finish on 97 points but fail to lift the trophy after a record-breaking title race between the two clubs.
Manchester United have signed Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka so far this summer, while Arsenal have added Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli to their squad.
Chelsea FC have also strengthened with Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic despite their two-window transfer ban.
Speaking at a news conference about Liverpool FC’s title rivals next term, Klopp said:
“I am completely focused on Liverpool. Completely.
“It would be great if we could be around Man City again because that’s the only possibility to have to pass them. It is already clear they are the big favourite again. No problem with that.
“They have a very good situation, which they showed last year especially after having 100 points in the season before – the greed they showed, the determination they showed, it was just impressive.
“I don’t think they would have had 98 points if we wouldn’t have been around – and we would not have had 97 points if Man City wouldn’t have been around.
“We chased each other through the season, put each other under pressure and that led to that.”
Klopp added: “All the teams will start again: there is no duel with City and Liverpool and all the rest are watching us,” the German added. “That’s not how the Premier League is, all of these games are so difficult to play.
“You see what Manchester United are doing in the transfer market, or probably will do; Arsenal want to strengthen; Chelsea have their situation but bring all the young boys, all the players on loan, back.
“If a team is not really influenced by a transfer ban, then it is Man City because they have the players and they will be strong as well.”
Liverpool FC won the Champions League title last season thanks to a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Madrid final.
Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi got on the score-sheet to secure Liverpool FC’s sixth European title.
Liverpool FC have only signed 17-year-old Dutch defender Sepp van der Berg from FC Twolle.
