Liverpool and Manchester City will renew their rivalry when they meet for the Community Shield match on Sunday.
Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp has said the match will not determine his sides Premier League’s bearing ahead of the new season.
Both clubs have had their fair share of silverware, with the Citizens clinching their sixth Premier League title ahead of the Reds with only a point.
Liverpool made amends for their domestic league wound by beating Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 0 in the Champions League final. The Reds are expected to be competitive in the upcoming clash with City.
“For me, it has nothing to do with the rest of the season,” Klopp told reporters.
“It’s a game and, even if we only have eight players available, I would like to try to win it.
“If we win it, good. Will it have an influence on the season? I don’t think so.
“If we lose it, not good. Will it have an influence on the season? No, again, I don’t think so.
“We have to prove ourselves during the season, not in one game. If I have to say this would be the statement for the season, I would be really mad.”
Victory against City’s coach Pep Guardiola at Wembley could be a psychological boost for Liverpool.
The Merseyside Red have not excelled in their pre-season tour matches with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and keeper Alisson who were involved in major competitions, missing out.
It poses a question if the Reds indeed are ready for a new season without key men or should have been busy in the transfer market to strengthen the squad.
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Klopp, however, does not seem to risk City’s curtain-raiser as the game is not given much attention in England.
“It’s a final. This is the first time that I realised nobody sees it like that, to be honest. A ‘curtain-raiser’ is unbelievable,” he said.
“We think constantly about the game and how we can prepare for it and then everyone thinks, ‘Oh, do they really play?’
“That’s not too cool, but it’s how it is. I don’t know exactly why people play this competition if it means nothing. Why don’t we cancel it then?
“In Germany, I won it five times, but nobody mentions it. We played every year. The Super Cup, you win it, nobody cares, you lose it and some care.”
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