Liverpool ‘passed a test’ against Man City – Jurgen Klopp،
Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool “had a test” during their 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Saturday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a second-half equalizer to cancel out Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal as Liverpool ended City’s 23-game winning run at the Etihad Stadium.
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Klopp admitted he was happier with a point than Pep Guardiola and said his side had proven their character in an early title test.
“For us I think it passed a test, I’m not sure it’s the test,” Klopp said. “In a job where no one has time, it’s really difficult to ask for it and use it.
“Last year we had a team that played together for a long time and we completely got under the wheels here [in a 4-1 defeat] and I had no chance.
“Today we had a chance. I’m not stupid, if you ask who was more likely to win the game, it was obviously City. We want to be ready to give them a real game and that’s what we have done.”
City, meanwhile, had to complain about referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision to rule out a Rúben Dias goal with the score at 1-0.
Dias scored from a yard out after Alisson dropped a cross, but Manuel Akanji was adjudged to have fouled the Liverpool keeper.
Afterwards, Guardiola said he had not seen a response to the incident, but had referred to Newcastle’s winner against Arsenal earlier this month, scored by Anthony Gordon despite protests from Arsenal that Joelinton had pushed Gabriel in the back.
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“I didn’t watch it but I had five flash interviews and they all asked me the same question, so maybe you watched it better than me,” Guardiola said.
“After the Newcastle-Arsenal game, I don’t know. I didn’t watch it. I’m incredibly happy with the performance because in seven years we know exactly how tough they are and how good they are. “
Guardiola appeared to be involved in an argument with Darwin Núñez at the final whistle. He had to be sent off by Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders while Klopp held off Nunez.
“Just emotions,” Klopp said. “I’m not sure I can explain it.
“I’m not involved, surprisingly. I love them both so I just tried to calm things down, without understanding a word. Pep wants to win, we want to win.”
