Klopp expects Liverpool to face tougher title fight next term
Nampa/AFP
Liverpool turned the Premier League title race into a procession this season, but Jurgen Klopp expects his champions to face a much tougher fight to retain the trophy next term.
Klopp's side powered to their first English title in 30 years with a dominant campaign that left rivals trailing in their wake.
Liverpool wrapped up the silverware with a record seven games remaining and finished the season 18 points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.
The Reds' remarkable run forced City to surrender the title they had won for the last two years, with Pep Guardiola's team unable to master the consistency required to keep up the pace.
Golden year yet to come
With Liverpool also having won the Champions League in the 2018/19 season and the Club World Cup in December, some pundits believe the Anfield club are primed for a golden era of dominance.
All the pieces are in place for the Reds to win consecutive titles for the first time since 1984, with Klopp signed to a long-term contract and key stars Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson all in their primes.
Liverpool also has a cadre of emerging youngsters capable of bolstering the squad next season.
But the German insists Liverpool will take nothing for granted when the 2020/21 campaign kicks off because he expects a renewed push from City and stronger challenges from Manchester United and Chelsea.
United a potential threat
“Whatever people say, it will not be important for next season because for sure we both have to be ready,” Klopp said.
“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,” he said.
City clearly has the pedigree to take back the title. They set a 100-point Premier League record total in 2018 that Liverpool were unable to match this season, and pipped Klopp's men to the title again in 2019.
Guardiola's side could yet underline their enduring class by ending the campaign as Champions League winners.
Undeniably inconsistent
City were undeniably inconsistent this season, with defensive frailties exposed after failing to replace Vincent Kompany and losing Aymeric Laporte to injury for long periods.
Long-serving Spanish midfielder David Silva will leave this summer, but Phil Foden's development gives Guardiola a potential replacement.
Klopp does not expect a drop-off from City, who made a point about their ability to compete with Liverpool when they crushed them 4-0 in the Reds' first game after clinching the title.
“I'm very positive about my team but I cannot deny City is really good. That was always the case, and I cannot see the end of anything for City,” he said.
Liverpool turned the Premier League title race into a procession this season, but Jurgen Klopp expects his champions to face a much tougher fight to retain the trophy next term.
Klopp's side powered to their first English title in 30 years with a dominant campaign that left rivals trailing in their wake.
Liverpool wrapped up the silverware with a record seven games remaining and finished the season 18 points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.
The Reds' remarkable run forced City to surrender the title they had won for the last two years, with Pep Guardiola's team unable to master the consistency required to keep up the pace.
Golden year yet to come
With Liverpool also having won the Champions League in the 2018/19 season and the Club World Cup in December, some pundits believe the Anfield club are primed for a golden era of dominance.
All the pieces are in place for the Reds to win consecutive titles for the first time since 1984, with Klopp signed to a long-term contract and key stars Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson all in their primes.
Liverpool also has a cadre of emerging youngsters capable of bolstering the squad next season.
But the German insists Liverpool will take nothing for granted when the 2020/21 campaign kicks off because he expects a renewed push from City and stronger challenges from Manchester United and Chelsea.
United a potential threat
“Whatever people say, it will not be important for next season because for sure we both have to be ready,” Klopp said.
“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,” he said.
City clearly has the pedigree to take back the title. They set a 100-point Premier League record total in 2018 that Liverpool were unable to match this season, and pipped Klopp's men to the title again in 2019.
Guardiola's side could yet underline their enduring class by ending the campaign as Champions League winners.
Undeniably inconsistent
City were undeniably inconsistent this season, with defensive frailties exposed after failing to replace Vincent Kompany and losing Aymeric Laporte to injury for long periods.
Long-serving Spanish midfielder David Silva will leave this summer, but Phil Foden's development gives Guardiola a potential replacement.
Klopp does not expect a drop-off from City, who made a point about their ability to compete with Liverpool when they crushed them 4-0 in the Reds' first game after clinching the title.
“I'm very positive about my team but I cannot deny City is really good. That was always the case, and I cannot see the end of anything for City,” he said.
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