Nathan Ake ready for Liverpool silverware challenge as Man City react to Jurgen Klopp departure

Nathan Ake has said he expects Liverpool to continue to push Manchester City for silverware in the final months of the season, following the news of Jurgen Klopp’s upcoming departure.

The German confirmed on Friday that he will leave the Merseyside club at the end of the season, ending a nearly nine-year stint in Liverpool. The Reds have posed the biggest and most consistent threat to City in that period and are the only side to break Pep Guardiola’s stranglehold on the Premier League since 2018.

Liverpool have also pushed City to the final day of the season on two occasions, when Klopp’s side finished as runners-up with 97 points (2018/19) and 92 points (2021/22). Therefore, it was no surprise that Pep Guardiola’s reaction was to jokingly claim he will ‘sleep easy’ once his rival has left.

Ake, who grabbed the only goal in City’s FA Cup win at Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night, said the news took the team by surprise. “Obviously it was a bit of a shock for everyone,” the Dutchman admitted. 

“He’s a very, very good manager and has done so well for the club and for the Premier League. He will be a big miss. It didn’t change how we played, we focus on ourselves.

“We’ve pushed each other for however many years,” he added. “Every time they do well we want to do better. Obviously it’s been a good challenge over the last few years.”

Liverpool remain in the hunt for four trophies this season, with the club top of the Premier League, in the final of the Carabao Cup and still participating in the FA Cup and Europa League. But the big question to arise after Friday is how Klopp’s departure will impact Liverpool’s trophy tilt in the coming months.

“I don’t know how they feel,” said Ake. “We knew before that they would be so good this season, so many cups to play for. So far they’ve done really well. I think they’ll continue to do that.

“It’ll be a loss to the Premier League. He’s a great manager who’s done so much for Liverpool. We’ve had great battles. It’s a bit of a shock to see him leave.”