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Liverpool DON’T CARE about Man Utd but Jurgen Klopp needs the title - EXCLUSIVE
LIVERPOOL do not care whether they finish above Manchester United because they have got bigger fish to fry.
That is the opinion of Jason McAteer, who played 100 Premier League games for the Reds in the late 1990s.
United were very successful in that period, and eventually overtook Liverpool’s haul of 18 English top-flight titles in 2011.
It was an achievement which Sir Alex Ferguson ranked among his best.
In September 2002, after finishing 10 points behind Arsenal the previous year and six points down to Arsene Wenger’s side in the new campaign, Ferguson responded famously to Alan Hansen’s claim that the Scotsman faced “the greatest challenge of his career”.
In typically cutting style, Ferguson said: “My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f*****g perch. And you can print that."
The Old Trafford club now hold 20 titles to Liverpool’s 18, but McAteer doesn’t believe that’s something the red side of Merseyside are worried about.
“I certainly think, sooner rather than later, Liverpool will win the title,” McAteer exclusively told Express Sport.
“I don’t think Liverpool are thinking about getting ahead of Manchester United.
I certainly think, sooner rather than later, Liverpool will win the title
“The rivalry’s always there and the fans talk about it, but they’ll just want that first one under Klopp under their belt.”
Liverpool entered the international break atop the Premier League, looking improved with summer signings Alisson Becker and Naby Keita slotting into the starting line-up.
Manchester City remain firm title favourites (4/6) with the bookies, however, although Liverpool are their closest opposition (5/2).
McAteer conceded: “It’s too early to say it’s a two-horse race [between City and Liverpool], but I think it’ll come down to that.
“You’re dealing with a completely different animal in Manchester City with the domination they’ve planned over the next five or 10 years, with the manager they’ve got and the finances at their disposal.”
Jason McAteer took on Tim Sherwood to launch 888sport’s new A Tenner Says campaign. To Take ‘Em On, visit www.888sport.com.