Jurgen Klopp admits he was duped “for a second” that Manchester City had conceded a late goal to edge the Premier League title back into Liverpool’s hands on a dramatic final day.
The Reds finished a point behind City in the race for the championship after both teams came from behind to win on Sunday afternoon. Liverpool eventually beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 at Anfield while Pep Guardiola’s side fought back from 2-0 down to dismiss Aston Villa 3-2 at the Etihad.
Shortly after substitute Mohamed Salah’s 31st goal of the season put the Reds 2-1 ahead, rumour swept among the Anfield crowd that City had been pegged back to 3-3 only for such hope to swiftly be dashed.
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And Klopp said of a tense occasion: “I can imagine it was much worse for the people at home watching on the telly all over the world who were Liverpool fans, when Aston Villa were 2-0 up and they were thinking ‘wow, that could really be’.
“I was not really aware of it, in my mind it was 1-0. They (City) could have scored an equaliser and I wouldn’t have known, but I have now heard the whole story after the game.
“There was one moment when it was 3-2 and then for a second, I don’t know who started it, I thought they (Villa) had equalised. It was a good moment but it was only a second and everyone went ‘nah, nothing happened’.
“Congratulations to Man City. Pep Guardiola, all the staff and all players, the whole club for being champions. We were close but in the end not close enough. That’s how it is.”
Klopp added: “Yes, I’m proud but I’m disappointed as well, of course. There are maybe more worse scenarios, we could have been a point up and didn’t make it. That might feel even worse. Apart from that, it’s not cool.
“But it’s not completely unexpected. Obviously, it was clear before the game a lot of things had to happen (for Liverpool to win the title). With all the things (that happened), I’d have preferred they’d have been 5-0 up after 10 minutes and then we play the game and it’s fine. It makes it of course more difficult.
“But the season was so close, so tight, moments, decisions, these kind of things. One point only apart. What I learned about life is that if you stay on track and you keep going, you get the reward. Not today the maximum reward, but we will get it. But it’s up to us to keep going. That’s what we will do.”
Pedro Neto had given Wolves a shock early lead before Sadio Mane’s 23rd goal of the campaign drew Liverpool level on 24 minutes. Salah and Andy Robertson then struck in the final six minutes to ensure the Reds went unbeaten at home in a Premier League campaign for the third time under Klopp.
“I am incredibly proud, of course I am,” said the Reds boss. “The boys played an incredible season. The whole journey of 21/22 so far is absolutely exceptional. The game today showed so much about these boys.
“We conceded an early goal which gave us a knock, I have to say. We didn’t play football really, not like we usually play. We had to take off Thiago early which is not helpful but you still find a way, it’s absolutely outstanding - 92 points is obviously crazy with all the games we played.”
Asked if Liverpool would have won more titles during his tenure had City not been around, Klopp responded: “Of course. It’s not unlikely but it’s not a thing I have in my mind at the moment. If you hadn’t have asked then I wouldn’t say these kind of things.”
