EPL: Klopp warns Liverpool stars to prepare for guns blazing Man City
Jurgen Klopp has issued a warning to his Liverpool players that Manchester City will arrive at Anfield all guns blazing on Sunday following their ‘outstanding’ midweek match against Paris Saint-Germain.
Pep Guardiola’s side were beaten in Paris against Mauricio Pochettino’s Champions League favourites, but Klopp insists the performance put in by the Premier League team was second to none.
With Liverpool also conducting European business away in Porto, Klopp admits he only saw City’s 2-0 losing scoreline, and wasn’t able to actually appreciate the performance until getting back to the hotel and watching.
Rather than licking their wounds ahead of the early potential title decider this weekend, Klopp says City will still arrive high on confidence.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Klopp said: ‘Manchester City are an outstanding football team.
‘Against PSG, [it was] after the game in Porto that I only knew the result and I said they probably will strike back but they don’t have to.
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‘I saw the game now and it was a really good football game, Man City played a really good game which was lost in two situations, let me say it like this.
‘Or in three or four situations when they didn’t use their chances. But when you think about the quality of the PSG team but then the way Man City dominated them, it says a lot about the quality.’
Klopp insists his team must be on top form, though is quietly confidence that his high-flying Reds can stand up to the occasion.
He added: ‘We have to play a proper football game to have a chance. But it’s Anfield and we are really looking forward to it, I can say that.
Klopp’s side will once again be without influential right back Trent Alexander-Arnold due to the youngster’s injury concerns, meaning 35-year-old James Milner is in line to face his former club once again.
Speaking of Milner’s incredible endurance in Premier League football and his willingness to play anywhere for the team, Klopp insisted his vice-captain will appreciate it all a lot more when he finally hangs up his boots.
Klopp said: ‘I’m not sure James knows all the positions he can play, he’s a smart footballer and he likes to be involved.
‘The way we play the RB is quite influential and has a lot of possession. In the moment he thinks it’s ok to play there.
‘In the last few years, he’s done really well. He’s just an important part of the squad, not only if he plays but also in the dressing room, according to the Standard newspaper.
‘[He is] Incredibly influential and it’s really nice that he can have that on the pitch as well, using his engine. He can do pretty much everything and it’s really nice.’