Man City star claims Klopp is jealous and Liverpool would love to have just a slice of ‘our game’

Aymeric Laporte has insisted that Liverpool would love to be able to play in the unique way that Manchester City do, amid the battle between the teams.

City and Liverpool have built up a fierce rivalry in recent seasons which is once again at the forefront of the current campaign. The two sides face off at the Etihad Stadium next Sunday in a Premier League title showdown.

What’s more, they meet again a week after that at Wembley, for a place in the FA Cup final.

Liverpool and Man City could also meet in the Champions League final. While Pep Guardiola’s side can still win a treble, Jurgen Klopp is eyeing a Reds quadruple after their Carabao Cup success in February.

Both sides have built their success on free-flowing attacking football. Indeed, they sit top and second in the Premier League table chiefly because they are the division’s top two scorers.

Speaking to The Guardian, though, Spain centre-back Laporte claimed that Liverpool would love to replicate even a part of City’s game.

“City can’t be afraid of anyone,” the 27-year-old said of the title race.

“Something like this happened a few years ago: [Liverpool] were a point behind in the same week, and in the end we won the league. We have this fight now and that’s good for the fans, and neutrals.

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“The football we play, no one else plays in the world. We’re an example of how to play nice football, to be superior in all areas.

“I think they’d like even part of our game. As for us having something of them: taking chances and benefiting from opponents’ errors a little more, because often we have the opportunity and don’t take it.

“We let the other team off. But there’s nothing to be envious about.”

City and Liverpool return to action this weekend after the international break.

Laporte, City may be playing Liverpool catch-up

The Reds sat 14 points behind their title rivals at one stage this season, with City seemingly cruising to glory.

However, nine straight wins for Liverpool have seen them cut the deficit to just a point.

And they can move ahead of Guardiola’s side with a win over Watford in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

City subsequently play Burnley at Turf Moor at 3pm.

According to Liverpool midfielder Thiago, though, the Reds are not seeing victory over the Hornets at Anfield as a chance to strike a psychological blow.