LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp appeared to taunt Arsenal by claiming Manchester City only sold Gabriel Jesus to them because the “distance was big enough”.
The Gunners landed Jesus, 25, in the summer transfer window following a £45million deal with City, where he played for five years.
Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus joined from Manchester City last summer
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp taunted Arsenal over the way they signed Gabriel Jesus
The striker has hit the ground running with five goals and four assists in 10 appearances across all competitions and is helping Mikel Arteta’s side rival his former team for the title.
Klopp sang the Brazil international’s praises ahead of today’s clash between Liverpool and the North Londoners at the Emirates.
But the German tactician suggested City would have never sold him to a more direct rival.
Klopp said: “I don’t know Gabriel on a personal basis but I always liked him as a player.
“I know City would not have sold him to every club but to Arsenal the distance was big enough geographically and they did it.
“Exceptional player, you always saw that when he played for City. The Gabriel Jesus role at City was a nine, a winger, last year everybody said City had no No.9.
“He was still there but he played obviously from the wing and now he can play his role.”
Jesus joined City from Palmeiras in 2017 but never managed to land a starting role on a consistent basis despite a raft of impressive appearances.
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The Brazilian amassed a total of 95 goals and 46 assists in 236 appearances at the Etihad.
However, the centre-forward is leading Arsenal’s unlikely Premier League title charge with Arteta’s side second in the table with a game in hand.
