Liverpool are motivated to win the title for Klopp, but Arsenal have more motivation
Since Jurgen Klopp's big news, there has been a lot of talk about incentives – and it will be the same again on Sunday at the Emirates.
Well, I'm certainly not going to argue with those who say it plays a big role when Arsenal and Liverpool meet – just probably not in the way most think.
5
Because whatever the driving force behind Klopp winning the Premier League in his final season – and I'll get to that – the motivation for Arsenal is even greater.
If the Gunners lose to the leaders, they can really forget about the title. They would be eight points behind Liverpool and the gap would be too big.
Even at this stage, they could forget a serious challenge for another season.
See what I mean now about who has the biggest incentive?
Not that I actually agree with the idea that sending Klopp back to Germany as a title winner is anyway the biggest motivation for everyone in the Liverpool dressing room.
Take it from me, the players won't be sitting around saying 'We've got to win for the gaffer' as much as people might think.
First, they'll want to do it themselves, believe me. Certainly for the club, the fans and the manager, but especially for himself.
They were motivated to win the league at the start of the season and that won't be the case anymore, so now Klopp has announced he is leaving.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
5
Many great managers have left Liverpool before. Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Kenny Dalglish… and the story has always remained the same. Titles, titles, titles.
So while the next man has a difficult job, it's also a brilliant job. I manage one of the biggest clubs in the world, but one that has been there all season, not just now.
Klopp's departure marks the start of a new era. But whether it is Xabi Alonso, Roberto De Zerbi or anyone else, the story remains the same.
The most important thing for the players is to prove that they need to be part of it because changes will definitely happen. Otherwise everyone would say it's still Klopp's team.
That's why I think people were wrong about what Virgil van Dijk meant when he said he didn't know if he would still be there next season.
There was no hidden message in his words. He really didn't know, and doesn't know, any more than they do.
It certainly wasn't a warning that he was about to go either.
The new manager can come in and say, 'I don't like him' or 'I want a player who can do something different'.
I understand the old “if it ain't broke, don't fix it” brigade, but one or two changes are permanent, so every player will be determined to show that it shouldn't be them.
If you're talking about an incentive at Anfield, that's the biggest of them all and there's no doubt Liverpool will go all the way to the finish in this race.
But Arsenal are determined they will still be there for the final furlong, meaning they have to leave on Sunday.
I can just see them on the edge, even though I wouldn't want to put my house on them. But it should be a cracker.
So how do the Gunners beat a team that edged Chelsea in midweek even though Mauricio Pochettino's fortunes were as poor as Liverpool were brilliant?
For me it will be down to the wide men, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, who can cause problems for anyone.
Whether Klopp goes with Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold from the start is an important decision. Both have had a few minutes off the bench, but are they fit enough to start?
It's a huge decision, just like young Conor Bradley has done at right-back.
But it's not just about Saka and Martinelli.
Martin Odegaard is technically a fantastic player and Arsenal are a lot stronger at the back these days.
I know Liverpool won in the FA Cup at the Emirates, but they were battered that day and took the win towards the end.
Arsenal had a few setbacks against Fulham and West Ham, but they are a good team, believe me.
I wouldn't be surprised if Klopp's smile disappeared a bit on Sunday afternoon.
5
5