As the Reds prepare to face Aston Villa in the Premier League, here's your Liverpool FC morning digest for Tuesday, May 10.
Jurgen Klopp responds to Pep Guardiola but admits Antonio Conte interview was 'wrong' after Liverpool draw
Jurgen Klopp has responded to Pep Guardiola's controversial comments where the Man City boss claimed "everyone in the country supports Liverpool".
The Spaniard was speaking to beIN Sports after his side's 5-0 victory over Newcastle United had seen them leapfrog the Reds at the top of the table and bounce back from their Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid when he made the comments, saying: "Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone. Of course because Liverpool has an incredible history in European competition.
"Not in the Premier League, because they have won one in 30 years, but it is not a problem at all. Liverpool are alongside (Manchester) United as the most important team in terms of titles, legacy, history, dramas for many, many things. But we have since the last 11 or 12 years been there. I know sometimes we are uncomfortable, but I don't care if the people want Liverpool to win more than us. It is not an issue."
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Klopp was asked about Guardiola 's comments at his latest pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Aston Villa on Tuesday night. And he played down the Spaniard's claims, while also taking the opportunity to back-track on his own comments about Tottenham Hotspur following his own side's 1-1 draw on Saturday.
"I live in Liverpool so yes, here, a lot of people want us to win the league," the German told reporters. "That's true but even here it's probably only 50%. The other guys were involved in another fight, at least until yesterday. As a manager, and I had this experience only recently after a game, we are massively influenced by the game. I said, and would I say it again? No. I said after the game, 'They play like they play and are still only fifth.'
"It felt good in that moment but was wrong. It was my feeling in that moment. I couldn't respect Antonio more and what he's doing. My god, how he organises teams."
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'I'm not going there' - Steven Gerrard makes blunt Liverpool title admission before Aston Villa
Steven Gerrard has admitted his Aston Villa can 'have a say in the title race' as Liverpool travel to Villa Park on Tuesday night in need of three points to close the three point gap at the top of the Premier League to Manchester City.
The way the fixtures have fallen means Villa can have a huge say in the destination of the Premier league with Gerrard taking his side to the Etihad on the final day of the season to take on Pep Guardiola's league leaders.
Despite his obvious connections to Liverpool, Gerrard knows the season is completed after 38 Premier League games and he wouldn't been drawn into writing any headlines.
Gerrard said in his pre-match press conference before Liverpool visit Villa Park on Tuesday night: "My job is to win games for Aston Villa. In terms of Liverpool, the season is over 38 games so if you want the headlines that says 'Steven Gerrard says he's going to stop Liverpool' I'm not going there for you unfortunately.
"[The title] is a little bit more difficult for Liverpool. They went into the Tottenham game to try and win it but I was still emotional from my own game at Burnley. The way the fixtures have fallen we can have a say in the title race, that's how it is."
Gerrard insists he is looking forward to the challenge of taking on Champions League finalists Liverpool: “We are aware of the challenge, you either fear that or you try to take it on and find situations where you can have your moments in the game. “It’s exciting, I’m looking forward to it, big games of football are what it’s all about.”
