Liverpool not sated by Euro glory as title pain provides fresh fuel

Liverpool were so relentless in their pursuit of Manchester City last season that their 97-point tally would have won them the Premier League title in every season apart from the past two.

Jurgen Klopp's side were beaten just once in the league all season, but that loss -- against City at the Etihad Stadium in January -- proved costly in the final analysis as the champions pipped Liverpool on the last day.

Liverpool were unbowed by that painful setback and just weeks later they beat Tottenham 2-0 in the Champions League final to finish their season with a flourish.

While European success has always been in Liverpool's DNA, Klopp and his players are desperate to end their club's title drought and that means finding a way to knock treble winners City off their perch.

The battle lines were jokingly drawn when Guardiola called Klopp to congratulate him in the immediate aftermath of the Champions League victory.

"We promised each other that we will kick each other's butts again next season. We will go for everything and see what we get," Klopp said.

And Sunday's Community Shield penalty shootout defeat against City -- which saw Liverpool hit back in the second half after being outplayed in the first -- showed the duel for supremacy will be just as closely fought this season.