Jurgen Klopp says beating Pep Guardiola on Sunday will mean nothing if the Manchester City boss goes on to win the title.
The Liverpool manager faces his arch rival in the FA Community Shield at Wembley knowing his side can strike the first psychological blow in what is expected to be another intense battle between the teams.
Yet Klopp has twice faced and beaten Guardiola in this type of pre-season opener, when his Borussia Dortmund side played Bayern Munich in the German Super Cup.
He said: “In Germany I won it five times but nobody mentions it. We played every year. The Super Cup – you win it, nobody cares, you lose it and some care!”
Klopp’s claim was for emphasis. He actually won the competition – the equivalent of the Community Shield – twice.
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But Dortmund lost out in the Bundesliga to Bayern. And he insisted that even though Liverpool desperately want to beat City, it will have no bearing on the rest of the campaign.
“We still have to prepare for the season and not only the game on Sunday, although we will try to be as prepared as possible,” he said.
“I don’t think we can expect to play our best game of the season on Sunday. But it’s about winning a football game, hopefully we’ll find a way to do that.
“But that’s not the most important thing. The most important thing is you get the physical skills for the long, long season.
“If I say this will be the statement for the season, I’d be really mad. But we play against City – the most difficult game of every season. You have to be ready.”
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Klopp also hinted he will not risk some of his main players, even if it might mean defeat.
Five are back this week, with Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Alisson rejoining for a training camp in Evian having had time off because of international duty in summer tournaments.
Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri return to full training following injury while playing for their countries and Sadio Mane – who played in the Africa Cup of Nations final on July 19 – reports back on Monday.
