The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Klopp is refusing to contemplate dramatic triumph in title race
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is not allowing himself to even contemplate the dream scenario of a dramatic end to the title race where former captain Steven Gerrard does his old club a favour at Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side have a one-point lead heading into the final match of the season tomorrow so Liverpool, at home to Wolves, need to better their result if they are to snatch the championship away from their rivals.
The fact Gerrard, for whom the Premier League was the only winner’s medal missing from his career at Anfield, will be in the opposition dugout at the Etihad provides a more fantastical addition to a thrilling climax.
While Klopp joked that he would have liked to have seen Gerrard on the pitch he insists he has not given much thought to how tomorrow afternoon will play out.
“I can understand these kind of situations only by thinking myself in that role,” he said.
“If I would play a game and could help (Borussia) Dortmund or Mainz that would be, for me, an extra motivation – but I don’t play.
“And Stevie doesn’t play. That is a shame, much more of a shame that Stevie is not playing than I am not playing.
“We are all human beings. Stevie will take it 100% serious, I am sure, without me calling him or whatever, I don’t have to – the rest of the club probably already did it but I didn’t.
“We play to win and Aston Villa play to win. It (Etihad) is a difficult place to go, if you go there and don’t play 100% you get five or six (scored against you) and if you are fully there you have a chance to get a result.”
Irrespective of the outcome this weekend, whether or not Liverpool claim a record-equalling 20th league title and complete a domestic treble before next weekend’s Champions League final, Klopp said the season was one to be proud of.
They have already won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup and, having closed a 14-point gap to City from January, his team remain on course to register 90plus points for the third time in four seasons – a tally which would usually guarantee top spot were it not for the continued excellence of Guardiola’s side.
Meanwhile, defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker are back in contention for Manchester City’s game against Aston Villa.
The pair had been expected to miss the remainder of the season with thigh and ankle injuries respectively but have made quicker-thanexpected recoveries.
Both returned to training on Thursday and are in manager Guardiola’s thoughts as he looks to close out a fourth league crown in five seasons.
News of the pair’s return is a lift for City after weeks of defensive fitness problems.
Centre-back Ruben Dias is sidelined while Aymeric Laporte and Fernandinho, who has played as a makeshift defender, have also had issues.
Stones has not played since hobbling out of the first leg of City’s Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on April 26 while Walker has missed eight of the last nine games.