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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Jurgen Klopp claims 'blatant' decisions cost Liverpool Premier League title race with Man City

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that 'blatant' refereeing decisions played a part in costing his side the Premier League title last season.

Manchester City won the league on the last day of the season as they came back from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium. The victory ensured that the Blues retained their title while Klopp's team went on to lose the Champions League final afterward and were left settling with the FA and League Cup.

City won the top flight by just one point and Klopp believes that if some decisions had gone his team's way, then things could have looked a lot brighter for his side once the campaign was over. Speaking to Sport 1, Klopp explained: "I don’t have any problems with anyone from City.

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"They deserved it just as much as we deserved it. What comes up in a moment like that: a few things happened over the season when a few things went against us, so I was thinking on the day: Let’s hope it won’t be decisive in the end.

"And then you forget about it again and don’t think about it. There were really blatant refereeing decisions.

"You keep thinking, what went in our favour? Completely without club glasses.

"We were lucky once not to get a penalty against us. But we were already leading 2-0.

"Otherwise – nothing. And against us? Clear handball penalties, penalties not given.

"Clear red cards not given against us, so for the opponent. That comes up at this moment.

"It’s human to think for a moment. But I don’t carry that around for long.

"No matter how Manchester City get the result, I accepted it – it’s deserved. And the other way round quite the same.

"And I can say: today I would be sitting here and wouldn’t feel one bit different if I had become champion and won the Champions League for a second time." His interview came before the Reds lost 4-1 away in Napoli in their opening Champions League group stage match of the season.

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