As Pep Guardiola put pen to paper on a long-term contract extension with Manchester City, speculation around the country was strife that Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC and Guardiola’s City side remain the only sides in the mix to battle for the coveted Premier League trophy.
However, Klopp was quick to put away such rumours, with the Liverpool FC boss insisting that both teams were no longer the only favourites in a widely-contested race to snatch league title-winning glory across England.
Guardiola’s new contract would extend his tenure at the Etihad Stadium until 2023, but that would not mean that the Manchester-based outfit and the Merseysiders continue to exert dominance over the Premier League, said Klopp, according to reports from the Daily Mail.
‘I’m happy Pep has signed but I’m afraid it won’t be just Guardiola against Klopp over the next few years,’ said the German coach.
‘It looks like Frank Lampard and Chelsea are building a proper team. Man United will not stay without trying and the same with Arsenal.
‘Tottenham look dangerous this year. Leicester are really good — and, 100 per cent, Wolves will not sleep. I watch a lot of football and see the steps other teams make.’
Klopp’s comments do sound out the growing number of teams in top-flight football that seem ready to pose a tough challenge to the likes of both Liverpool FC as well as Manchester City over the course of this ongoing season.
Sunday’s visitors at Anfield, Leicester City, under the charge of ex-Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, too have established title-challenger credentials with several standout showings against top sides since the turn of the year.
