Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed how a rallying speech from manager Jurgen Klopp inspired their title winning season.

Liverpool had finished the 2018/19 season with 97 points and yet still came runners-up to all-conquering Manchester City.

Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “I have a lot of respect for what Man City did. They won it with over 100 points, then they won it the following year with us pushing them the whole way to win it with 98 points.

“To do something truly special, to come back again and fight us every step of the way takes real character.

“We weren't very happy but as professionals we all respected it from their team, their manager and players that year. They were not happy and wanted to go again. Then for us to go so close, we've had to take on that mindset and try to better that.

“Sometimes when you do something amazing it can be hard to go again and you're asking: 'how are we going to top that?' But that's something we spoke about. We need to improve, we need to get better and do more so let's do more."

He continued: “We've got great leaders in players like James Milner, Hendo, they are guys that have got that built in. The manager. The environment around this club.

“This team has got no-one with an ego, there's not one lad in training who doesn't give their absolute everything. They all give 100 per cent and that goes a long way.

“For those that maybe don't have that natural instinct they can be taught it and will buy into it. That's what's happened in this team. The manager demands it that players take it onboard and soak it up like a sponge.

“It's not easy, it's mentally tough, but that's what it takes to be part of this team at the minute. That's the way we're going. We've still got a lot more. The closer you get, human nature means the easier it comes to take your foot off the gas.

“But as players we keep having to remind ourselves that it's not acceptable and we have to keep pushing no matter what."