Flattery before big fight

London, January 2 

Liverpool will need all their fighting qualities to overcome the “best team in the world” Manchester City in Thursday’s blockbuster Premier League meeting between the two, manager Juergen Klopp said on Wednesday. Shortly after City manager Pep Guardiola described table-toppers Liverpool as Europe’s best team in his news conference, Klopp returned the compliment with interest and said City could not be taken lightly despite a dip in form.

Defeats by Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Leicester City last month have left Guardiola’s side in third place with 47 points, seven points behind unbeaten Liverpool and one behind fellow title contenders Tottenham Hotspur.

“We have to be brave, we have to be full of desire, angry again, all that stuff — like in all the other games —but with the knowledge that the opponent is still the best team in the world,” Klopp told a news conference.

“I said it weeks ago because it’s 100 percent my opinion; the way they play and all the things they have achieved and the things they will achieve. Nothing has changed, only the points changed, but not the preparation for the game. And we are a very, very, very good football team as well. That’s why we have the amount of points, that’s why we had the results, that’s clear..” 

Guardiola confident

Earlier, Guardiola hailed Liverpool as the best team in Europe, but said his side could take inspiration from last season’s 5-0 win at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola reminded his gifted team of their potential to close the gap. “Last year we beat them 5-0 here. It’s Liverpool, the best team in England’s history. We can beat them. I know today nobody trusts us but it is what it is,” Guardiola said.

Liverpool responded to the 5-0 defeat with a 4-3 victory at Anfield to hand City their first defeat of the last campaign. “They are at the moment the best team in Europe, in the consistency, the way they control the details in their game. We are going to focus on what we have to do to win the game. Everyone is talking if we lose, but we can win,” he said. — Reuters