JURGEN KLOPP URGED Liverpool to block out Manchester City after Sadio Mane kept their quadruple dream alive.
The forward’s 22nd goal of the season earned a battling 2-1 comeback win at Aston Villa to move level on points with City at the top of the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side trail City on goal difference with their title rivals able to move three points clear again when they travel to Wolves on Wednesday.
Joel Matip quickly hauled the visitors level after Douglas Luiz’s early goal and Mane’s winner sets the Reds up ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final with Chelsea.
Klopp said: “We don’t waste energy thinking hopefully they (Man City) lose.
“Now we have to really recover and to play the FA Cup final because there is no mercy. The situation, qualifying for the finals, is massive.
“Their quality and mentality and character is the reason why we are where we are. I’m not surprised they can do something like this but I don’t take it for granted.
“We had an outstanding and incredible mentality. We needed time to find our way into the game and our opponent was there in the beginning, really aggressive.
“In the last 10 or 15 minutes we really stated controlling the game, it was the way we had to do it. We scored a second, incredible, goal.
“Luis (Diaz) was sensational and Sadio made the world of it. Then we had to dig deep, they had moments and a big chance with (Danny) Ings.”
Klopp started with Mo Salah on the bench and they fell behind after three minutes when Luiz opened the scoring, following up after Alisson saved his header.
But the hosts’ lead lasted just three minutes during a crazy opening and Matip stabbed in after Tyrone Mings failed to deal with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick.
Liverpool were level but fragile at the back with Alisson escaping some nervy moments when he was beaten to John McGinn’s cross by Danny Ings and almost gifted Ollie Watkins possession.
They also lost Fabinho to a hamstring injury midway through the half with Klopp unsure if the midfielder will be fit for the FA Cup final.
“I don’t know, he felt a muscle. He is quite positive but I’m not sure what I can make of that,” he added.
Philippe Coutinho shot over before Naby Keita wasted a glorious chance when, unmarked, he missed his kick from seven yards.
Liverpool knew they needed to find a winner and Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick whistled wide before Kostas Tsimikas’ brilliant covering tackle denied Watkins after the break.
But the goal they craved came with 25 minutes left when Luis Diaz was allowed to cross from the left and Mane glanced in.
The visitors still had to survive a late Villa push and, after Alisson denied Ings, the striker saw a goal correctly disallowed for offside.
“We have got to take those big moments we created and we’re slightly frustrated we didn’t score more than once,” said Villa boss Steven Gerrard.
“We were ambitious, brave, courageous and went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the world. It was a massive challenge and a big ask but I’m extremely proud of what they brought. We knew we would have to suffer at times against this team.
“We’re disappointed with both goals we conceded and frustrated we couldn’t keep the lead for longer. I can’t ask for any more from the players. We made Liverpool work extremely hard.”
Gerrard also revealed his frustration at referee Jon Moss’ performance after the official angered both sides at Villa Park.
“I hope the referee’s performance is looked at,” he added.
Monaghan putting it up to Dublin in the second half certainly not a walk over. 53 minutes in and all square
League final for the rebels but will have to step it up against the Dubs as I expect them to brush Monaghan aside. Think it’s time the Northern to drop the blanket defence…. shocking to watch.
It’s been adopted by all teams below Division 1, if they try to match the big guns man to man they’ll get blown out if the water! It’s no longer just a Northern style
Maybe open your eyes Owl when watching a match and form your own unique opinions instead of following the media’s approach on criticising the northern teams. Donegal for one don’t have a blanket defence for the sake of negativity. The have a system that works and forwards that can cause real damage like against Dublin last year. They scored 19 points today. What a terribly negative team….
Maybe you should watch that game again. … blanket defence on show all day. Cork put pressure on them to come out and play and NOT because it was Donegals game plan. My opinions are formed by actually watching the game and not just reading the result…
You sir, can suck my white hammer.
Good man Jimmy. … constructive yet to the point !
Well I was at the game today so i saw quite clearly how Donegal played. You clearly have little understanding of how their tactics work. You may as well stick to the blanket criticism of every ulster team playing purely negative football.
How their tactics work ????
Yes I can see it works a treat. Silly little comment.