Jurgen Klopp has responded to the Manchester City verdict by distancing himself from any prospect of Liverpool being awarded further Premier League titles retrospectively.
The former Liverpool manager’s side finished one point behind City in two closely contested title races, but Klopp said he was satisfied with what his team achieved on the pitch and would not celebrate honours that might follow future sanctions.
Klopp responds to Manchester City verdict
“I’m far from preparing for a title or anything like that. I’m absolutely fine with what we’ve achieved in Liverpool,” Klopp said.
“We fought hard on the pitch. I can’t say more about that because I don’t know the details.”
Klopp also stressed his respect for Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City teams that competed with Liverpool during his time at Anfield.
“I can only wait and see. I have big respect for Guardiola and City’s style of football; they played fantastic and were a top-class opponent for us,” he said.
“If any sanctions are handed out, I have nothing to do with it; I’ll wait and see.”
Klopp’s comments come after Liverpool twice narrowly missed out on the Premier League title to City. Liverpool collected 97 points in the 2018/19 season, but City finished on 98.
Liverpool went on to win the title the following campaign with 99 points, before another one-point defeat to City in 2021/22, when Klopp’s team finished on 92 points.
If any of Manchester City’s historical titles were ultimately removed and awarded to the runners-up, Liverpool could potentially benefit. There has been no confirmation that any additional titles will be awarded, however.
Klopp previously joked about a Manchester City title parade
The former Liverpool boss’s measured response contrasts with a joke he made after leaving the club in 2024, when he was asked how he would react if City’s titles were stripped following the Premier League investigation.
“If you organise a bus parade, I am in! How long it takes I don’t care!” Klopp said at the time.
That remark has resurfaced after the latest development, although Klopp has now made clear that he is not preparing for any retrospective success and will wait for the authorities to decide what happens next.
