Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the press ahead of the title clash between Manchester City and Liverpool, billed as Champions vs Challengers. The Reds travel to the Etihad tomorrow night looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points over Spurs, and ten over Pep Guardiola’s men.
Klopp has spoken about how his side have taken confidence from last season where they went on an excellent run in the Champions League, eventually losing to Real Madrid in the final. He said:
“Results and performances give confidence. We have results and performances. Our boys have quality. As long we mix up potential with attitude, there will be quality. We got rid of the backpack when we reached Champions League Final. That was the moment when the boys did something special. Since then it feels different, that’s true.”
Klopp was keen for his side not to get carried away at the top of the Premier League table and said City will be well up for the game.
"If we were 10pts behind would I say we can't catch them? Of course not. It's January 3. A very important game - a kind of 6pt game. It's a motivation for them 100% and we need to be ready."
The German boss was also happy that Roberto Firmino was finally getting some of the spotlight after his hat-trick at the weekend. “It’s nice and very important for him. It was nice and so deserved for him. He’s a very, very important player for us. As an offensive player, he needs obvious credit and that is goals. There was talk about him and is he clicking. He played all the time really. He wouldn’t do that if he wasn’t influential. He works so hard for us and is influential in everything.”
He had also heaped praise on Pep Guardiola’s side and called them the ‘best football team in the world.’
"Man City are still the best football team in the world. We are in a good moment 100% and we are a very good team too. Very difficult game, one of the most difficult you can play in the football world. They're a really strong football team with an outstanding manager. We need to be brave, full of desire and angry again."
There are sure to be fireworks on Thursday night and a win could see either side take a big step towards the Premier League title.
