Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has described Manchester City as “the best team in the world” ahead of their Premier League meeting at Anfield on Sunday.
The Reds are looking to build on their 7-1 thrashing of Rangers at Ibrox in the Champions League, but he knows that his team are going to get a much tougher test against the reigning champions.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Klopp said: “It's against City, it's always a challenge. It's a home game at Anfield, us v City, they are, at the moment, the best team in the world."
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Pep Guardiola’s side have claimed four out of the last five league titles and they are on the hunt for a record-equalling third straight Premier League crown, a feat achieved twice by rivals Manchester United between 1999-2001 and 2007-09.
Despite the big result against Rangers, Liverpool conceded first and Klopp realises it is a concern.
“We played really good football in the early stages [at Rangers] then we lost the ball in a moment where we weren't compact because we couldn't be. These things can happen if you lose the ball at the wrong moment."
With concerns raised over the defence, Klopp was asked about City’s ever-present goal threat Erling Haaland, who he labelled as the best striker in the world.
He said: “When you play against the best striker in the world at the moment, you have to make sure he doesn't get many balls. But City have other world class players. It's a football problem and we try to find solutions.
“He has the combination of being pretty physical and technical. He knows where the offsides are, he reads it well. He has so many things that make a striker and, at City, has some of the best players around him setting up goals."
The fixture between Liverpool and Manchester City has been the biggest fixture in the Premier League in recent years as the two sides have been head and shoulders above the rest in competing for the league title. The game itself has often been dubbed a title decider.
The German coach was pleased with Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah who notched the quickest hat-trick in Champions League history after coming off the bench against Rangers.
"You can see Mo was in a cheeky mood, a confident mood because, for the second goal, the only one who saw the gap was him. The best thing you want for your striker is to score."
The 55-year-old is also delighted to see Brazilian Roberto Firmino contributing goals for the team after grabbing two goals against Rangers himself.
"Bobby is in a really good moment, really happy for him, really, really happy for him,” Klopp said.
“Bobby numbers wise, it is [good]. He is an exceptional player, I don't think anyone has said it as much as I've said it."
