Pep Guardiola rebuffs 'ridiculous' Liverpool claims as Jurgen Klopp shares 'difficult' moment

On the start of a big weekend for the club, here is your Liverpool morning digest for Saturday, February 26.

Pep Guardiola has hit back at the 'ridiculous' claims that Manchester City had won the title back in December after Liverpool moved to within three points of his side in the table.

The Reds cut the gap between themselves and City on Wednesday night after they thrashed Leeds United 6-0 at Anfield in their game in hand.

Jurgen Klopp's side warmed up for Sunday's Carabao Cup final with an utterly dominant display that included three goals in 20 first-half minutes.

City had looked to be running away with the title back in December after Liverpool were held away by Spurs and then beaten by Leicester City at the King Power.

However, a huge swing in results has seen Liverpool jump right back into contention for the title, with the two sides scheduled to meet at the Etihad at the start of April.

“It's ridiculous I have to argue this. I'm sorry. When we were champions it wasn't in December or January," Guardiola replied via the MEN when asked if recent results were proof the league was never finished in December.

When Liverpool step out at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, they will be greeted by a cacophony of noise and colour from 33,000 Reds fans having made the trek to London.

It couldn’t be any further removed from events Jurgen Klopp and his players were experiencing 12 months previous.

Back then, with the globe gripped by the coronavirus pandemic and fans restricted to watching from the safety of their own homes, Liverpool were confronted by the cold chill of empty stadiums and eerie silence from the barren stands.

For Klopp, a manager who since arriving at Anfield back in October 2015 has recognised the importance of