Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool’s failure to beat Manchester City this season will represent Jurgen Klopp’s one regret as he looks back on a record-breaking Premier League season.
Pep Guardiola’s side retained the title after a crushing 4-1 win at Brighton rendered Liverpool’s ninth successive victory, a routine 2-0 triumph against Wolves, meaningless. Liverpool, ultimately, finished on 97 points just one adrift of City despite having lost just once all season, two fewer defeats than the eventual champions.
The Reds drew 0-0 with City back in October and were beaten at the Etihad 2-1 in January when Leroy Sane scored what proved to be the decisive goal in an epic title race.
‘Liverpool have a manager who is an optimist and will feel he can challenge again next season, but if City are going to get 96, 98, 100 points it’s very difficult to stop.
‘The only thing Liverpool can look back with at regret is they didn’t beat City. ‘You can’t expect other people to take points off City if you don’t do it yourselves and Liverpool only took one from six against City.
‘Next season they have to look at those games as cup finals and beat them, although that’s easier said than done! ‘This Man City team is something extraordinary.
You can understand the Liverpool players and manager will be a bit flat as when they look back on this they would want something to show for their efforts.’