Published on
10th April, 2022
Jurgen Klopp likened Liverpool's exhilarating 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Super Sunday to a "boxing fight" as the Premier League's title protagonists traded blows at the Etihad Stadium.
Kevin De Bruyne fired the champions into a fifth-minute lead at the Etihad Stadium but Diogo Jota levelled eight minutes later for the second-placed Reds.
Gabriel Jesus restored City's advantage before the break but Sadio Mane marked his 30th birthday with a second equaliser for Jurgen Klopp's men.
Raheem Sterling thought he had put City ahead for a third time against his former club but VAR ruled against him in a tight offside decision and substitute Riyad Mahrez hit the post late on.
The result ended Liverpool's 10-match winning league run and left City a point clear with just seven games of the season remaining.
City retain their one-point lead at the summit, and Klopp told Sky Sports: "It was like a boxing fight. You have your arms down for a second and get a massive knock and you shake a little.
"I liked a lot of things. I thought we were closer than ever. The second half start was much better. City really tried obviously things like balls in behind. It makes sense when you have these smart runs. In moments when we tried to breathe a little bit another one comes. It was a great game and the result, we have to live with and can live with.
"We could do better but in a lot of moments, we did really well. The intensity of the game is crazy. It was good fun, I liked it."
On what he said to his players at half-time, Klopp added: "We showed [our] goal because it was a really good football situation which if we did more we would have chances. I was convinced we could win this game. They were much more direct than us today. They had a more direct idea than us and we wanted to let them run when in possession.
"Defensively we were sometimes in a rush, they put us under pressure and we can defend these situations better. The second half was really intense, they needed breaks as well, but their counter-attacks are not bad. Their decision making is really good and they always pick the right player.
"I think it is a completely fine and deserved draw. We wanted to make sure they see my boys are exceptional as well.
"Seven games to go for both teams and we will not stop chasing now that's for sure. Let's make sure we are ready for Benfica, for this team at Wembley [in the FA Cup semi-final] and then we will see who will have the better finish."
Guardiola: Klopp likes these punching games
Manchester boss Pep Guardiola: "He [Klopp] likes these punching games. It was a fantastic advert for the Premier League. Both teams wanted to win. I had the feeling we left them alive but Liverpool are a joy to watch, I know how good and difficult they are.
"We performed really, really well. I'm so proud of the team. Now we have seven games left and we have to win all of them or it will be over.
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