Jurgen Klopp has hailed Real Madrid as favourites for this year's Champions League final against Liverpool, and doesn't think Man City's European exit will affect their Premier League title challenge.
Pep Guardiola's side currently sit a point clear ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with four games left to play, with the title now the only trophy they can win this season following their collapse at the Bernabeu in midweek. City had been 5-3 ahead on aggregate in the 90th minute, only for a last-minute Rodrygo brace to force extra-time with Karim Benzema scoring the winner to set up a final clash with the Reds in Paris.
And Klopp isn't expecting City to suffer any hangover when they return to league action at home to Newcastle United on Sunday, with Liverpool still needing the reigning champions to drop points if they are to stand any chance of winning the title.
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"With all the things we know about City, I would rather think the second (That they will respond strongly)," he told reporters. "They are too good. Yes, it was a massive blow.
"I think everyone was ready to turn the television off nearly and then all of a sudden part two started. That was really harsh I can imagine. I cannot see them (suffering a hangover).
"I had nights like this. It's not cool. Next morning is not enjoyable. But then there's a moment when you realise you cannot change that anymore and you have to focus on what's next and that's Newcastle on Sunday. They will be ready."
Meanwhile, Klopp has declared Real Madrid as 'massive favourites' for the Champions League final, revealing he is relishing the prospect of another showpiece occasion with the La Liga outfit after Liverpool lost the 2018 final in Kiev.
"When we lost that final, my favourite solution would have been to play the final again next year and it's against Real Madrid," the German said. "That was in that moment. We faced Tottenham in Madrid. Madrid seems to be our destiny.
"It was strange and unlucky for City but what Madrid was outstanding. They got through against PSG, against Chelsea and against Man City. We said before when we played Villarreal, if you knock out Juventus and Bayern, you deserve to be in the semi-finals. If you knock out these three guys, you definitely deserve to be in the final.
"They are now the massive favourites, all the experience they have. We are more experienced than we were but it's not to compare. Lot of players are still in for them and us which is a good sign.
"It will be great. We were not happy that night, that's clear. But it was a while ago. I'm happy to go there and give it a try.
"But until then, a lot of games to play. You will ask a lot of questions about Real Madrid between now and then. I think we can stop here. What Carlo did there obviously is absolutely incredible.
"If you go to the final, it's good to have the idea that you want to win it and that's what we will work on in the week between the 22nd and the 28th. Not before."
