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The manager of Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, is stressing the importance of intense concentration from his team. However, those close to him may be wondering if he is also considering the bigger picture at the moment. This will be revealed in the small details. For instance, in the next few days, he may be strategizing on how to limit the movement of Kevin De Bruyne on the field. It could also be the final time he goes up against Pep Guardiola.
The upcoming match between Liverpool and Manchester City on Sunday will determine the first place position and mark the beginning of the “finals” series. It’s no coincidence that these two teams spark the idea of a final, as Klopp may be eager to move on from their previous encounters.
The highlight of his stay in England and also his biggest source of frustration has been this particular pairing. Simply put, Klopp’s impact would have been significantly greater if not for City during this time. City, under Guardiola’s management, have directly stopped him from winning at least two league championships. Adding to the uncertainty of it all, there are currently 115 charges being investigated for potential rule violations in the English football scene.
It’s not just that he might have won another two league titles, either. Klopp is the only other manager in “the Guardiola era” to get more than 90 points, and he did it three times. This is historic performance. It might even have been the Klopp era, had that same history taken a different course. The future may well change perceptions on that, depending on the outcome of the City case.
Currently, Klopp may be considered as one of the most unfortunate coaches in the industry, facing significant financial inequality despite leading one of the most powerful teams in the sport.
He joined Borussia Dortmund when Bayern Munich’s commercial income made them almost unbeatable, and then moved to Liverpool during a time when City became a major contender due to their increasing geopolitical influence.
Trent Alexander-Arnold mentioned the second aspect in his pre-game statements, which have already caused a lot of excitement.
“It’s a challenge. We’re facing a well-designed machine that’s programmed for victory – that’s the easiest way to explain City and their structure. Reflecting on this time period, even though they’ve achieved more titles and potentially had more success, our trophies hold greater significance to us and our supporters due to the differing circumstances at our respective clubs, financially. The way in which both teams have assembled themselves and the approach we’ve taken is likely to hold more value for our fans.”
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias have both spoken out, which has angered some of their teammates. This mirrors their reaction to the 115 accusations of breaking regulations around this time last year, with a determination to prove themselves on the field.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Erling Haaland have been exchanging words prior to the match.
Alexander-Arnold was simply echoing his manager’s perspective when discussing the concept of “meaning more.” While this statement may have irked supporters of rival teams, Klopp has purposefully embraced it, aiming to ignite the passion and legacy of Liverpool as a whole.
He does not view this time period with frustration or bitterness. Instead, he approaches it with determination.
Klopp appreciates the charm of it, as well as the concept of challenging higher powers. This may seem excessive given that Liverpool were involved in the Super League, owned by investment firms, and sponsored by Standard Chartered. However, these are the realities of modern football.
In either case, this has become the main story driving Klopp’s last chapter. He not only has the chance to bring home another league title, one that Liverpool can truly rejoice in, but he also has the opportunity to correct certain aspects of this era and the rivalry with City. If the downfall of Klopp’s legacy in the Premier League is that he could have secured more league titles, it would be more impressive if he had two instead of just one. It would bring a greater sense of satisfaction if it prevents City from becoming the first English team to win four consecutive league titles, while also making it six out of seven.
This would solidify Klopp’s reputation as the perfect counter to one of the most powerful strategies in the sport; the opposite of Guardiola.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola
The significance of this upcoming meeting at Anfield has become even more pronounced due to the added obstacle of facing Arsenal.
Typically, the outcome of one game is not as significant as it may seem. This is due to the fact that it can be offset by the results of other games. With numerous other opportunities, the significance of each game lies more in its ability to affect team morale and mindset.
These advantages are just a fraction of what is offered. This match has the power to determine the outcome. This has happened before in the 2018-2019 season, where the championship was decided by a narrow margin. John Stones’ precise save off the goal line secured a 2-1 win for City against Liverpool in their crucial encounter, and ultimately resulted in them winning the title by just one point.
This year may be comparable, considering recent outcomes. This is also the reason why there is more fascination around Liverpool than City.
“We are familiar with the capabilities of the champions. They have consistently achieved scores of over 90 points without difficulty. They are currently showing ominous signs of top form, just like they did in their treble-winning season at this point last year.”
This is the benchmark that Liverpool must achieve. However, it remains uncertain if they can maintain it. There is an exciting unpredictability surrounding the team, as they are a newly formed group in their first full season.
The Liverpool team underwent significant modifications during the summer.
It may seem like a difficult task for them to accomplish in this campaign, but Klopp has proven himself before. In the 2018-19 season, no one anticipated his first successful team to come close to scoring 97 points.
This game has the potential to be extremely challenging for these reasons. We will gain more insight into the true level of Liverpool’s abilities. It is clear that they are a strong team with a lot of potential. They have proven themselves in multiple situations to maintain this streak, including last week’s critical 99th-minute victory against Nottingham Forest.
There is a significant contrast between gradually making progress towards your goal and surpassing it. This is a crucial test. Liverpool must demonstrate their ability to perform at the same level as the top teams in England and Europe when faced with pressure.
Klopp chose to field a young and inexperienced team in the League Cup final for a specific reason – to prepare for the ultimate challenge of facing Guardiola in the final league match.
It’s possible for them to face each other once more in the FA Cup, however, it won’t hold the same importance. For Klopp, the focus is now on the league and all that it would symbolize.
This game is at the center, the initial of several last stages.
Source: independent.co.uk
