Klopp praises his transformed Liverpool for demonstrating their title ambitions in Man City clash

Jurgen Klopp admitted his Liverpool side are still a work in progress but showed their resilience by salvaging a 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Saturday.

Klopp’s men stayed within touching distance of the reigning champions at the summit of the Premier League after ending City’s 23-game home winning run in all competitions.

Liverpool have only tasted defeat once in the league since their previous visit to the Etihad in April, which resulted in a 4-1 humiliation.

After challenging City for major trophies in most of Klopp’s tenure at Anfield, Liverpool slumped to fifth in the Premier League last season.

But they gave a glimpse of their potential to challenge for the title again despite both teams failing to produce their best as a top-of-the-table showdown lacked spark.

Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal in just 48 outings gave City the lead in 28 minutes.

Pep Guardiola’s men then had the upper hand to extend their advantage, but were stunned 10 minutes from time when Trent Alexander-Arnold curled a superb shot into the far corner.

“I think we passed a test today; I’m not sure it’s the test,” said Klopp on his side’s title credentials.

“In a business where nobody has time, it’s really difficult to ask for it and to use it. Last year, with a team that had played together much more time than this team, we were completely under the wheels and had no real chance.

“Today we had a chance. I’m not silly; I see the game. If you ask me, ‘Who was more likely to win the game?’ It was City obviously, but we had our moments.”

Klopp was unhappy with the timing of such a big game for the lunchtime kickoff after an international break.

Three of Liverpool’s starting line-up had been in World Cup qualifying action in South America a little over 72 hours before kick-off.

“It’s not like I look at us and think, ‘Okay, we are the finished article’,” added Klopp. “There was a lot of the performance I was not happy with, but it was a super difficult week; how can you judge that?

“Ten days away, come back, one day of training to prepare for the most difficult game of the season. I take what I get and work from there.”

Guardiola was more satisfied with his side’s overall performance, despite failing to win at home for the first time in 2023.

“We played really well because I know after eight years how difficult it is to do what we have done. To be hungry and upset in the locker room because we feel we deserve more,” said Guardiola.

“In football, it is the (fine) margins. When you play that way and don’t win, you still have to be happy.”

After winning their opening six Premier League games of the season, City have won just three of their last seven to open up the title race.

Just four points separate the top five, and third-placed Arsenal have the opportunity to go top later on Saturday if they win away to Brentford.