Nathan Ake dreads the day when Pep Guardiola decides to name time on his all-conquering Manchester City reign.
So a lot so, the Dutch defender, whose late strike at Tottenham on Friday fired the Treble holders into the FA Cup fifth spherical, refuses to even ponder the horror prospect. Asked about Jurgen Klopp’s determination to exit Liverpool on the finish of this season, and what it could really feel like if City’s inspirational coach did one thing comparable, Ake conceded: “I don’t want to even think about it.
“Obviously, it was a bit of a shock for everyone to see the news. Klopp’s a very good manager and done so well at Liverpool. For the Premier League, he will be a big loss. But it didn’t change anything for us here. We are just focused on ourselves.”
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What impact Klopp’s sudden, sudden announcement has on the Anfield dressing room throughout the the rest of the season solely time will inform. Some reckon it might make the league leaders and quadruple chasers much more harmful, amid a dedication to offer the German a very superb send-off.
Ex-Chelsea and Bournemouth star Ake is not sure if it makes any important distinction both means. After all, Liverpool, who host Norwich within the Cup on Sunday, have been exhibiting their high quality just about because the begin of the season. Hence, they’re combating on all doable fronts nonetheless.
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Ake went on: “I don’t know how they will feel. But we knew even before this that they were going to be so good this season. They have so many cups to play for. So far, they’ve done really well. I think this will continue.
“We have pushed one another over the last few years. Every time they do well, we want to do better. Then they want to do better. It has been a great challenge.”
(Image: PA)
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One factor not up for debate is City, recent from a mini winter break, are primed for a sometimes robust latter half to the marketing campaign. Ake, whose 88th-minute tap-in was the membership’s first aim in six visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, mentioned: “We had a few days off and a good training camp in Abu Dhabi. Mentally, we could also relax a bit – and get ready to attack the second half of the season.
“We have grown. The most important thing is everyone has the hunger to keep going. If you get this, results come with it.”