Jurgen Klopp angers fans with disheartening claim about Liverpool targets next season

• Fans accused Klopp of giving up before the season started following the German’s sentiments about Manchester City
• Klopp said in a recent interview that the title race would be a tight one but City would eventually win it
• His Liverpool side was narrowly beaten to the title thanks to City’s late comeback against Aston Villa in the final day

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp recently courted criticism from his own fans after claiming the 2022/2023 Premier League title would probably go to Manchester City once again.

The Merseyside club were narrowly pipped to the title last season by City, who came from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 in the final game of the campaign.

Ahead of the upcoming new season, City will now look to win a third consecutive title, something which has only been achieved by Sir Alex Ferguson between 2007 and 2009.

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There are potential title contenders in the new season, with Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United always in the conversation at the start of the season.

However, Klopp, who added Darwin Nunez to his side after losing Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, told Sky Sports in an interview that he believes City still have the edge.

According to the gaffer, Liverpool’s primary objective in the new campaign would be to secure Champions League football.

"It's always like this: the main target is to qualify for the Champions League," Klopp said.

"It's really difficult enough already. When you reach that and then still have time to fight for the title, then you do that. But for the majority of the season you fight for the Champions League.

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Klopp also added that Liverpool possibly stopped City from winning five titles in a row with their own triumph in the 2019/2020 season.

"That will be a massive fight (for the Premier League title), oh my god. That's the Premier League. I have no idea who will make the race, it looks like City in the end will be the champion. If we hadn't have been champion I think they would've won it five or six times in a row which is really crazy in this country. But our target is to play the best possible season for us. What can we squeeze out? Let's see. Really looking forward to it."

His sentiments typically did not augur well with some Liverpool fans, who felt he had given up before the season started.

"Some loser. How u admit defeat already" One fan said.

"He's already complaining. The season ain't even started." Another added.

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"Imagine buying a 100m striker and then talking this nonsense...i know what u're doing klopp."

Liverpool will end their pre-season tour with a game against RB Salzburg on Wednesday, July 27 before meeting Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday.

Their league campaign starts with a league game against newly-promoted Fulham.

Tuchel says Chelsea not in the level of Man City, Liverpool

Elsewhere, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel gave a brutally honest assessment of his side after a 4-0 humbling at the hands of Arsenal in Orlando.

Speaking after the game, Tuchel admitted he was disappointed, but also refused to fully blame his side as he subtly suggested Arsenal were more settled in terms of transfer sagas.

The German manager also refused to be drawn into comparisons with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, who he claims are still miles ahead of Chelsea.