Klopp: Man City will have a point to prove in Thursday's clash
Jurgen Klopp expects Manchester City to come out with a point to prove against Liverpool on Thursday as the two sides face each other at the Etihad.
Last week, Pep Guardiola’s side were required to take something off Chelsea in order to keep the championship race going for another week, but ended up succumbing to a 2-1 loss, meaning Liverpool were crowned champions without playing.
It was the Reds’ first top-flight title in 30 years and catalysed huge celebrations in the city as well as in the hotel which held all the players and staff watching the game between City and Chelsea.
For City, Klopp thinks they will use the upcoming match between the two teams to make a statement after losing the title.
"Yes, I probably would if it was the other way round!” the German said when asked if Guardiola’s charges will play with a point to prove.
"I think we had a similar situation a year or two ago when we beat City 4-3 and they were unbeaten until then.
"I don't think I mentioned for one second that we could have been first but we wanted to win that desperately, just to make sure even when they were 20 something points ahead we can still give them a proper game.
"I don't need a proper game to know that City can do that. I know that before but it will be difficult for both teams. It is a good game."
As for next season, Klopp doesn’t believe it will be a two-horse race, as he expects a bigger challenge from the improving Manchester United and Chelsea.
"Whatever people say, it will not be important for next season because for sure we both have to be ready," The Liverpool boss suggested.
"We see United coming up. People thought they had no chance but we see with one or two players how good they are and how good they can be, and for sure they will not be worse next season, and now there is Chelsea as well.
"It will not be about City and us. For the last two years pretty much the top of the table was City and us, and City for four or five years before that."