Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has told his players that Sunday’s clash with “best in the world” Manchester City will not solely define their Premier League title tilt.
The Reds’ 3-1 win over Benfica in Lisbon means they have one foot in the Champions League quarter final as their relentless pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple goes on.
However, there is little time to rest on their laurels with what looks increasingly like a title showdown vs City at the Etihad on Sunday.
City have a one-point advantage over their north-west rivals with just eight games remaining of the season in what promises to be yet another nail-biting race for English football’s biggest prize. The two Premier League heavyweights went toe-to-toe back in October, with both sides forced to settle for a point - a result City would probably take again this time around.
City’s own bid for a treble continued apace on Tuesday night and they hold a slender one-goal advantage over Atletico Madrid having broken the Spaniards’ stubborn resistance with a second half Kevin de Bruyne strike.
The way that the Champions League draw has panned out could also mean that Pep Guardiola and Klopp’s side face-off in the European final at the Parc des Princes, such has been the pair’s dominance both domestically and abroad.
But in an attempt to reduce the pressure on his players, Klopp has said that even winning the game wouldn’t mean they are destined for their second title in three years, due to the quality of a team he describes as the best in the world.
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“If we win against Man City, which is already difficult enough, I think no-one would think: 'That's it, it is decided.’ That is because of the quality of the opponent,” Klopp said. “We play now against the best team in the world, but we will give it a try anyway. That is what we must do.
“So what we did in the last few months, six, seven or eight months since the season started we created a basis. We are in the quarter-final, the semi-final and the further you go in competitions the harder it gets. That’s unfortunately the truth.”
He added: “You barely reach a final and face a team where you win 8-0. The Chelsea final was incredibly intense, two top-class sides and that's how all the games will be from now on. Since late December it was clear if we want to win something we had better win all our games. This is not realistic we know, but that's why we take it game by game.
“Then maybe it is a little bit more possible. But it will be really tough. Yes, everyone knows about the importance of the next game, but after this game there will be other games in other competitions but also in the Premier League as well.
“If you cannot be first you want to be second, if you are close then you want to overtake. We will give it a proper go.”
