Klopp: Close but not close enough | This adds to CL motivation

Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to his Liverpool players after Manchester City pipped them to the Premier League title by one point and says their near-miss will increase their desire to win the Champions League on Saturday.

Liverpool looked primed to capitalise on City slipping 2-0 down to Aston Villa at the Etihad but, despite going on to beat Wolves 3-1, a remarkable comeback from Pep Guardiola's side for a 3-2 win ensured the Premier League trophy would stay with them.

However, FA Cup and Carabao Cup winners Liverpool have a shot at further silverware next weekend in Paris when they take on Real Madrid in the Champions League final and Klopp believes a seventh European crown would be the perfect response to narrowly losing out on league title number 20.

"The boys have played an incredible season," he said. "The whole journey, it's absolutely exceptional.

"The game today said so much about these boys. We conceded an early goal, which gave us a knock. We didn't play football like we usually play. We had to take Thiago off early. And then you still find a way, it's outstanding. Ninety-two points is crazy.

"It's the story of my life. I'm the record holder for not getting promoted from the German second division with the highest points tally, first division points tally as well. You have to get all the points.

"It was clear before the game a lot of things had to happen [for Liverpool to win the title]. Congratulations to Man City, Pep Guardiola, their players. We were close but in the end not close enough.

"But this season is incredible and will end next week. We have five days to prepare for the Champions League final. We face an incredibly experienced team but that's OK. Losing the league today increased the desire to put it