Liverpool FC boss Jurgen Klopp explains why Man City title theory is 'biggest joke'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says anyone would be foolish to write Manchester City out of the title race following their defeat to Aston Villa.

The champions are now winless in four Premier League matches after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday evening, having drawn previous clashes with Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea. The result leaves Pep Guardiola’s side six points off leaders Arsenal.

Liverpool sit four points ahead of City after 15 matches having beaten Sheffield United earlier in the evening. After the match, Klopp was asked about how close the title race could be this season with City off the boil and other teams starting to put together results.

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He replied: “I’ve no clue. If we win it, I hope not. If somebody would write City off, that would be the biggest joke in the history of football. It really makes no sense.”

Klopp referenced the good phase Arsenal and Aston Villa are going through, and also pointed to Manchester United and Chelsea as teams who are building momentum.

“You have to play them anyway so who cares where they are, we have to play them,” he added. “The league is incredibly strong. You need to be lucky through difficult moments, with injuries especially, so I have no clue where this will end up.”

City’s small squad means any absences is felt, although perhaps none more so than Rodri’s. The midfielder was suspended for the trip to Villa Park after picking up a yellow card accumulation suspension, like Jack Grealish.

City have lost all four matches Rodri has been absent for, including defeats to Wolves, Arsenal and Newcastle in