Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for his players following the 3-2 win over Manchester City at Wembley. He described the first half as “one of the best” Liverpool has played under him.
Liverpool will play the FA Cup final for the first time in 10 years. Klopp’s side will face the winner between Chelsea and Crystal Palace, who meet on Sunday at Wembley.
“We did all the right stuff, we scored in the right moments, we played an incredible game in the first half, I really loved each second of it,” Klopp said.
“I’m absolutely proud, it was incredible – I think the first half was one of the best we ever played,” the Liverpool manager stressed.
“The second half started with the goal for Man City and then it opened up. The quality of City is insane and you could see it was a much more open game,” Klopp added.
The German boss continued maximizing his players’ merits for the win against City, who are also Liverpool’s rivals for the crown in the Champions League and the Premier League:
“We respect the quality of City so much and it’s so difficult to win against them. But because we have these boys in our dressing room we have a chance.”
Liverpool has already won the League Cup this season and is dreaming of a historical quadruple. In the Champions League, they will face Villarreal in the semi-finals, as City gets ready to play Real Madrid, while in the Premier League City has a one-point advantage with seven games left to play. The two rivals met in the Premier League last weekend and drew 2-2 in Manchester.
Liverpool is now at +190 to triumph in the Premier League, compared to City’s -250. In the FA Cup, it’s Klopp’s team who stands at the top of the favorites list. Liverpool is at -250, followed by Chelsea at +200 and Palace at +1200. The bookies couldn’t separate Liverpool and City when it came to the Champions League trophy, as both stand at +120. Real Madrid is at +600, while surprise-pack Villarreal sits at +2000.
What did Guardiola say after the Liverpool game?
Liverpool went 3-0 up before half-time. City and USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen gifted Liverpool its second of the afternoon. Steffen was one of seven changes Guardiola made from the team that started the Champions League encounter against Atletico, in Madrid, on Wednesday.
“We had a lot of fixtures and travels and a lot of important games and that’s why I picked this team,” Guardiola said. “The first goal was a set-piece, where Liverpool is so strong and score many goals. The second was an accident. Then we conceded a goal in the last minute of the first half, but afterward, we showed incredible pride,” the City manager stressed.
“We didn’t look tired after we scored because football is about momentum. We had the clearest of chances and we scored goals. It’s not easy to do that against Liverpool. We fought to the end and showed our pride,” the Catalan boss explained.
Guardiola also condemned the supporters who chanted during the minute of silence that was supposed to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. Referee Mark Oliver cut short the commemoration after a few City fans did not join the tribute.
“These people don’t represent who we are and who we want to be. Of course, we are alongside Liverpool for this tragedy suffered years ago. The minute’s silence should have been done,” Guardiola said.