Sports

Jurgen Klopp believes it’s NEVER been harder to win Premier League thanks to rampant Manchester City

Published

8 years ago

August 25, 2018

For the football world, there is a growing feeling this could finally Liverpool’s time, the season to end their 29 year title drought.

But for manager Jurgen Klopp, despite his faith in his squad and the belief the team has never been better, the harsh reality is that it has NEVER been harder to triumph in the Premier League.

Not only is there the small matter of a City side who scored 106 goals in securing 100 points in what became a Champions’ procession… but also intense competition beyond that.

And he should know. He was the Dortmund manager who shattered Bayern Munich hegemony to win back to back Bundesliga titles. But for Klopp, repeating that feat in England is much, much harder.

Jurgen Klopp knows how hard it will be (Image: Liverpool FC)

“Yeah, the Premier League (is harder) for sure. if you could beat Bayern it was good because usually they had won all their other games,” he explained.

“That will not happen here. Even City couldn’t do that last year. They got 100 points but that was a rare thing to do. You have to be ready for every single game, in the Premier League there is no easy game.

“But I’m not interested too much in the difficulties of our challenge, I’m really working on the solutions and to ensure we are ready for all these games.”

For Klopp, who entertains Brighton this weekend in a game he says “is the opposite of easy”, the problem is not just that City look even more financially powerful and dominant than Bayern did.

It is the fact that even if Liverpool do manage to close the 25 points they finished behind the Champions last season, there are other almost as intimidating sides ready to steal in and lift the trophy.

“We could only play Bayern twice in a season, so we were never chasing Bayern, just trying to beat the others as often as possible,” he added.

“But where we have more teams like this (as strong as them). If City isn’t the No 1 then there will be others going for it.

Klopp believes Spurs will be a huge threat (Image: PA Wire)

“I really think Tottenham will have a brilliant season. They are together still and have a fantastic manager.

“A few other teams have a big chance too. Chelsea look really positive, Arsenal not a good start but that will change.

“So don’t look at the others, it doesn’t help you. You only have a problem with them twice over the course of the year. Just try to beat them in those two games and then beat the others as often as possible.”

Maurizio Sarri of Chelsea during a press conference (Image: Darren Walsh)

Klopp though, insisted that since the players returned to training forom their summer break, he has seen nothing from them other than a desire and confidence they can go one better than last season and finally lift a trophy: “I see no signs from anybody where body language has changed.

“The fellas from last year have a few nice experiences on their back but I only see that they want to try again, to try to improve and try to play an outstanding Premier League season and a fantastic Champions League campaign as well as the cups. That’s the plan at this moment.”

Sports

‎Oseni Mobilises Supporters with Free Tickets for Shooting Stars’ Victory ‎

Published

7 days ago

August 29, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan on their 2-1 victory over newly promoted Inter Lagos in the opening fixture of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
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‎The Oluyole Warriors began their campaign on a winning note at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Friday, securing three points in front of their home supporters.
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‎Ahead of the encounter, the lawmaker mobilised hundreds of supporters to the stadium and provided free tickets for fans to enable them to watch and cheer the Ibadan-based club.
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‎The mobilisation, led by members of his youth wing, contributed to the strong home support for Shooting Stars as the team battled the Lagos-based newcomers in an entertaining opening-day encounter.
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‎In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, who represents, Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said he was delighted with the victory and commended the players, coaches, management and supporters of the club for starting the new season on a positive note.
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The statement added that the gesture was a reflection of Oseni’s passion for sports and his belief that sustained support from the fans could inspire the team to greater achievements during the season.
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“ Oseni is a lover of sports and passionate about Shooting Stars. This is one of the ways, among others, that we can support the team and encourage them in their quest for victory,” the statement stressed.
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It further explained that the free tickets were provided to encourage more supporters to fill the stands and give the players the backing they needed, particularly in their first home game of the season.
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According to the statement, Oseni believes that sports provide an important platform for youth engagement, development and community pride, stressing that Shooting Stars remains a club with a strong place in the identity of Ibadan and Oyo State.
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‎On the pitch, Lucky Emmanuel put Shooting Stars ahead in the 15th minute before Inter Lagos equalised through Uchenna Njoku. Sodiq Ibrahim restored the home side’s lead from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, with the score remaining 2-1 until the final whistle.
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‎The APC chieftain urged the Oluyole Warriors to build on the victory and maintain their winning mentality throughout the season, assuring the team of his continued support and encouragement.

Sports

Oyo APC Demands Probe of N5.5bn Lekan Salami Stadium Renovation

Published

3 weeks ago

August 18, 2026

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The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-graft agencies to investigate the N5.5bn reportedly spent on the renovation of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

The party made the call following the reported rejection of the stadium by the Confederation of African Football as a venue for Shooting Stars Sports Club’s continental campaign.

Shooting Stars secured qualification for continental football after about 28 years but will reportedly play its home matches in Abeokuta after the Ibadan stadium failed to meet CAF’s requirements.

In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the development as disappointing and embarrassing to the state.

The party alleged that the CAF decision had raised questions about the quality of work carried out at the stadium and the funds reportedly committed to its renovation.

Sadare said the state government should explain why a facility said to have gulped N5.5bn could not secure approval to host a continental competition.

He said, “Everyone in the state should ask Governor Makinde to explain the circumstances surrounding the stadium’s failure to secure approval for the CAF Confederation Cup and provide details of the funds committed to its renovation and upgrading.”

The APC also criticised what it described as the alleged delivery of substandard projects by the Makinde administration, citing the recent erosion that reportedly damaged part of a road project in Bodija shortly after its commissioning.

The party said the stadium’s failure to host Shooting Stars’ continental fixtures was particularly unfortunate because the club’s return to African competition after nearly three decades should have provided Oyo State with an opportunity to showcase its sporting infrastructure to a wider African audience.

The APC therefore urged the EFCC and other relevant anti-graft agencies to investigate the award and execution of the stadium project, establish how the funds were spent and make anyone found culpable to face the law.

It also called on the state government to urgently address the deficiencies identified at the stadium and ensure that the facility is upgraded to meet international standards and capable of hosting major continental competitions in the future.

Sports

UCL Final: ‘I hope last year’s loss to PSG still hurts’ – Wilshere messages Arsenal

Published

3 months ago

May 28, 2026

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Former Arsenal star, Jack Wilshere, has sent a message to the Gunners ahead of their UEFA Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal will take on the French Ligue 1 giants in the Champions League final this year in Budapest on Saturday evening.

Mikel Arteta’s side had lost 3-1 on aggregate against PSG in the Champions League semi-final stage last year.

Speaking on TNT Sports (via GOAL), Wilshere remembered Arsenal about their last year’s defeat to PSG and urged them to use it as a revenge to get a win against Luis Enrique’s side when both sides meet again this weekend.

“Now that the Premier League is over the line, I know that the Premier League was the one. I know that Mikel wanted that. I know that the boys wanted that,” Wilshere said.

“Now you have to go through some tough times and learn from it. I hope that the Champions League semi-final [PSG 3-1 Arsenal] last year hurt them enough that they can go on and use that [against PSG].

“I think when you are on the pitch, and you are playing against your direct opponent, you learn so much about them. And to face them next year, they will be better for that.”