Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted he has not felt the need to watch Manchester City in person ahead of their New Year’s Eve clash, after Pep Guardiola was spotted at Anfield on Tuesday evening.
The City boss was in the crowd to see the Reds come from behind to beat Stoke 4-1 and overtake his side to go back into second place, six points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Saturday’s encounter between the free-scoring top-four rivals is an eagerly anticipated one but Klopp has not bothered to scout City in person.
‘I respect them a lot but I have not been to City’s stadium this season or last to watch games. Maybe they want to watch good football,’ he said with a laugh when asked about Guardiola’s presence.
‘We are already looking forward. It’s a difficult game for both teams but an exciting one. The best news for us is that it’s at Anfield.
‘They’re an outstanding side, we are not too bad. It’ll be a nice game.
‘Whatever I say, we cannot win it now but maybe I could say a few things that make it more difficult for us.
‘It’s probably best I shut my mouth!’
Stoke were the better side early on in Tuesday’s match and went ahead through Jon Walters but Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino clawed things back before, after the break, Giannelli Imbula’s own goal and Daniel Sturridge’s first in the league this season – 56 seconds after he came off the bench – wrapped things up.
‘Confidence is not a problem of the team at the moment. We know about our quality, but obviously we don’t show it all the time,’ added Klopp.
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