Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given a stern response to the suggestion that his focus is on Manchester City following his side’s 1-0 win over Newcastle.
A Naby Keita first-half strike was enough to see Liverpool jump back above City ahead of their trip to Leeds this evening. Anything but a win for Pep Guardiola will see Klopp’s team gain the advantage in the title race.
Both clubs played in frantic Champions League semi-finals during the week and Klopp previously made it clear that he wasn’t happy with the fact his players had to travel to the North East so early on a Saturday. Liverpool submitted a request to push the fixture back due to fixture congestion but this was rejected by the Premier League.
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When either side plays first in a league gameweek, it naturally heaps pressure on the team that plays second. Klopp was asked by BT Sport whether the spotlight will now be on City after Liverpool’s Newcastle triumph.
“No - to Villarreal [Champions League opponents],” he said. “They are 2-1 down, playing at the moment (against Alaves).
“That's what I'm interested in. I haven't thought a second until now about City, but immediately about Villarreal.”
Liverpool are 2-0 from the first leg at Anfield and travel to Spain on Tuesday to try and book their place in next month’s final in Paris. City also take a plane south to Madrid where they will try to maintain or build on their 4-3 lead first leg.
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