Liverpool boss Klopp must focus on Man City fight, not cup competitions - Barnes EXCLUSIVE - 7M sport

Liverpool boss Klopp must focus on Man City fight, not cup competitions - Barnes EXCLUSIVE

LIVERPOOL’s season will only be judged on how close they can match Manchester City for the Premier League title - not by the trophies they could win in other competitions.


Posted Friday, September 07, 2018 by Express.co.uk

That’s the view of Liverpool legend John Barnes.

Liverpool have had a perfect start to the season, with Jurgen Klopp’s men winning all four of their Premier League games.

Champions City, meanwhile, have already dropped points against newly-promoted Wolves.

Pep Guardiola’s side are the favourites to retain their title this season, with the Reds next in line.

And Barnes says Liverpool must focus on challenging City in the Premier League this season instead of picking up silverware elsewhere.

When asked what would be a successful season for Liverpool, Bonus Code Bets ambassador Barnes exclusively told Express Sport: “Getting closer to City.

"People talk about winning trophies but they’re wrong. We could win the FA Cup by beating Swindon and Tranmere.

"You can win a trophy by not playing top teams. You can’t just win a trophy because you don’t know who you’re going to play.

Liverpool boss Klopp must focus on Man City fight, not cup competitions - Barnes EXCLUSIVE
Liverpool should focus on the Premier League over cup competitions, John Barnes says

"What you know in the league is who you’re going to play week-in, week-out.

"You should be able to suggest that we [Liverpool] will be closer to the top.

"I know people talk about winning trophies as success, but I’d rather be 10 points closer to Man City and not win a trophy than win the League Cup or the Europa League and be 25 points behind City.

"Getting close to the top of the league shows how good you really are.”

Liverpool boss Klopp must focus on Man City fight, not cup competitions - Barnes EXCLUSIVE
Liverpool star Alisson has impressed

Klopp is yet to pick up silverware at Anfield after joining Liverpool in 2015.

The Reds have reached three finals under the German, with Liverpool losing in the League Cup against City, the Europa League final against Sevilla and in the Champions League against Real Madrid this year.

Liverpool splashed the cash in the summer transfer window as the Reds eye their first Premier League title, with Klopp spending around £175m.

A then-record goalkeeper deal for Alisson followed moves for Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri.

Brazil No 1 Alisson has been instrumental for the Reds so far this season, however, the former Roma star stole the headlines for the wrong reasons last weekend following his horror mistake against Leicester.

Liverpool boss Klopp must focus on Man City fight, not cup competitions - Barnes EXCLUSIVE
Liverpool legend John Barnes hailed Jurgen Klopp’s summer signings

And Barnes has hailed Klopp’s summer signings, claiming Alisson and Keita have been the perfect additions.

"We knew what we were going to get with Keita because we signed him a while ago, we knew he was coming, we knew what to expect,” he added.

"Of course we needed to resolve the goalkeeper situation to give everyone confidence heading into the season and Alisson is a fantastic keeper.

"It’s early but they’ve fit in like they’ve been here a while.”

Liverpool are back in action after the international break, with Klopp’s side travelling to Tottenham on September 15.



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