Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has questioned some of the refereeing decisions that he believes contributed to Manchester City's Premier League title win last season.
Pep Guardiola's squad retained their Premier League crown for the second time under the Catalan coach, securing their fourth trophy in the last five seasons.
However, the most recent success did not come about without an almighty scare on the final day of the season.
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Aston Villa had initially gone 0-2 ahead at the Etihad Stadium, before an Ilkay Gundogan brace and Rodrigo stunner secured the all important three points in front of a jubilant home crowd.
Speaking to German media outlet SPORT1 this week, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has looked back on events of last season, including decisions from referees that he believes were ultimately costly for his team.
"I don’t have any problems with anyone from (Manchester) City. They deserved it just as much as we deserved it," Klopp told SPORT1, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness.
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“What comes up in a moment like that: a few things happened over the season when a few things went against us, so I was thinking on the day: Let’s hope it won’t be decisive in the end.
“And then you forget about it again and don’t think about it. There were really blatant refereeing decisions. You keep thinking, what went in our favour?"
Jurgen Klopp continued, “Completely without club glasses. We were lucky once not to get a penalty against us. But we were already leading 2-0. Otherwise – nothing.
“And against us? Clear handball penalties, penalties not given.
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"Clear red cards not given against us, so for the opponent. That comes up at this moment. It’s human to think for a moment. But I don’t carry that around for long."
The Liverpool boss however was swift to make it clear that he believes the ultimate result was one that was deserved by Manchester City.
Klopp continued, “No matter how Manchester City get the result, I accepted it – it’s deserved. And the other way round quite the same.
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“And I can say: today I would be sitting here and wouldn’t feel one bit different if I had become champion and won the Champions League for a second time."
Manchester City and Liverpool are once again expected to be in another intense title race this season, however it is the former that have got off to a better start.
The signing of Erling Haaland has added an extra dimension to the squad, and one that many opponents thus far have found difficult to contend with.
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Across all competitions, Haaland has scored 12 goals and registered a further assist in eight appearances.
Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Manchester City, Premier League, Football
Freddie Pye