Jurgen Klopp has no issue with Trent Alexander-Arnold saying success ‘means more’ to Liverpool than it does to Manchester City, as the rivals prepare to meet at Anfield.
Liverpool and City are separated by just one point ahead of Sunday’s matchup, with third-placed Arsenal a point further back in one of the most exciting title races in Premier League history.
The two sides have spent the last few years battling for the biggest honours in the game, and Alexander-Arnold stoked tensions between them in an interview with FourFourTwo, which was published earlier this week.
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In that interview, the right-back suggested Liverpool’s trophies ‘mean more’ to their fanbase than City’s do, due to the financial advantage enjoyed by Pep Guardiola’s treble winners.
City striker Erling Haaland has since hit back at those comments, telling Sky Sports: “I’ve been here one year and won the treble and it was quite a nice feeling, I don’t think he knows this feeling.”
At Friday’s pre-match press conference, Klopp stressed his respect for City but said he had no problem with his players embracing the idea that their successes carry more weight.
It’s 1st v 2nd this Sunday 😮💨 PIC.TWITTER.COM/HEMNMZXFMQ
— Premier League (@premierleague) MARCH 4, 2024
“A few people spoke to me and told me what I should say. I’m not sure how often we have to say that we respect our opponents,” Klopp said when asked about Alexander-Arnold’s comments.
“Pep is the best manager in the world. I have a really good life not even being close to that. They have incredible players, they have the best number nine in the world with Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne will go down in history, Phil Foden is the best English player at the moment.
“We all respect that and Trent respects that, but he was born in Liverpool, he played through all our youth teams. What would you think in that situation?
“One of our slogans, which I love, is ‘this means more’. It does mean more… to us. I have no idea what it means to other people.
“Two years ago we had a parade for winning the EFL and FA Cups, after losing the Champions League final the night before and losing the league by one point. Can you tell me another city where you would have this parade as if you won all these trophies?
“This club is special… to us. If it’s not special to other people, we can’t change that. But if we feel that, why can’t we say it?”
We’ve now scored 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ goals under the boss ❤️⚽ PIC.TWITTER.COM/VOC2VJPNJJ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) MARCH 7, 2024
With Liverpool only capturing one Premier League title to City’s seven, five of which have come under Guardiola, Klopp believes the rarity of their triumphs may make them more memorable.
“It means a lot to them and their people, I’m sure, but for us – maybe just for the fact we didn’t win too many – that’s it,” he added.
“You love these interviews where somebody says what they think, and then the whole world tells you what you think is not right.
“There’s nothing wrong with what Trent said, from my point of view.”
Klopp also confirmed Liverpool will make a late check on Ibrahima Konate’s condition after he exited Thursday’s 5-1 Europa League win over Sparta Prague early, though the Reds have no other new injury concerns.
