Liverpool team news LIVE: Press conference updates as Jurgen Klopp speaks ahead of Man City clash
Follow live updates from the manager’s press conference this afternoon
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp described Manchester City as the best team in Europe and said his side would have to defend superbly in Sunday’s clash between the top two teams in the Premier League.
Liverpool are the only unbeaten team left in the league and are top of the standings with 14 points, one point above Pep Guardiola’s City.
Klopp said City would be looking to hit back after their midweek Champions League loss at Paris St Germain, adding that the contest at Anfield -- where Liverpool lost 4-1 in last season’s fixture -- would be a “complex football challenge”.
“We have to play a proper football game to have a chance, but it’s Anfield. We’re really looking forward to the game,” Klopp told reporters.
“We are in a good moment, that’s what you have to be to have a chance against them. For me, they’re the best team in Europe. Last weekend they played (and beat) Chelsea, who are good, but City were clearly better on that day.
“We have to defend at the absolute highest level to stay in the game and make sure the goals we score make the difference... You have to be brave, play front footed, be cheeky in moments, really be your best version. Only then you have a chance.”
With the season’s second international break starting after the weekend’s matches, Klopp said he was still in the dark about quarantine rules for players travelling to countries on the UK’s red list.
Klopp said he would be losing Brazilian players Alisson Becker and Fabinho, Greece’s Konstantinos Tsimikas and Senegalese forward Sadio Mane to 10 days quarantine if they travelled to red list countries during the break.
“Brazil is on the red list for England but not for France, Germany and Spain. All the other countries send their players and they can come back,” Klopp said.
“I heard they maybe have to have 10 days in a hotel when they come back with food delivered to their door -- it’s not okay... The Premier League has to fight for its players.”
Relive updates from the Liverpool manager’s press conference, below.
Liverpool press conference
“We’ve liked the football we have played but we haven’t played City yet. And they haven’t played us. This is a really special game, every year it’s always the same.
“It has to be high intensity. You have to be brave, front-footed, cheeky in moments, produce our best work. Only then will we have a chance.
“We have to show a lot of things on Sunday and that is a complex football challenge. Thank God for both teams - that’s what makes it so exciting.”
Liverpool press conference
Klopp asked on the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“We have three options. James Milner, Joe Gomez, Nico Williams. We could change the system - we’ve had the time to train this week - and we have options. Whoever plays at right back will be protected by two players and should not be scared.”
Liverpool press conference
“We’ve scored a lot of goals recently but we’ve also missed chances. I don’t think we should expect this against City but we are in a good shape. That’s what we have to be to have a chance against them.
“For me they are the best team in Europe at the moment. Last weekend everyone was talking about Chelsea but City were clearly better.
“To win we have to score goals and we are confident, but to win we have to defend well to make sure the goals make a difference.”
Liverpool press conference
“It’s a big game. The match against PSG was a really good football game and they will strike back. The way City dominated PSG says a lot about their quality.
“It’s Anfield, and we are really looking forward to it.”
Liverpool press conference
“I don’t want to be James Bond,” he says. “Maybe as kid. I would be a bad James Bond. If I walked out the water in swimshorts the whole world would switch off.”
Liverpool press conference
We’re on time! Here’s Jurgen Klopp.
And the first question is about James Bond...
Liverpool press conference
Liverpool’s Alisson and Fabinho have both been called up for Brazil duty, along with six other Premier League players, ahead of the international break - but we are yet to receive confirmation over whether they will be allowed to travel.
Both players stayed in England over the last international break following uncertainty over return travel from red-list countries.
However, there has been a shift in regulations after the Premier League and the UK Government agreed upon quarantine exemptions for double vaccinated players.
We should get word from Klopp shortly over whether Alisson and Fabinho are set to travel.
Fully vaccinated players given green light to travel to red-list countries
A bespoke quarantine exemption is understood to have been agreed.
Liverpool press conference: Klopp vs Guardiola
The Independent’s chief football writer Miguel Delaney’s latest piece looks at the changes between both sides since the early days of the Klopp vs Guardiola rivalry in England.
Encounters between the two managers used to display a sharp contrast in styles, particularly in 2017/18, but their attacking philosophies have come together since.
You can read Miguel’s full piece, here.
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp’s attacking philosophies
The managers represent the two dominant attacking approaches of the last decade but, after failing to sign an elite No 9 this summer, Guardiola is being forced to constantly adjust
Liverpool press conference: Klopp vs Guardiola
Jurgen Klopp will also be asked about his latest duel with Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola.
Interestingly, both managers come into Sunday’s match with their overall record exactly level.
In 21 previous encounters - at both Liverpool vs City and Dortmund vs Bayern - there have been nine wins each and three draws.
Furthermore, their record while both in England is level too, with five wins each and three draws in all competitions.
Guardiola had the upper hand last season, as City ended their long run without a win at Anfield in a 4-1 victory at the home of the Premier League champions.
Liverpool press conference: Man City team news
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will give his press conference at around the same time as Klopp (12:30pm).
The Premier League champions are set to be without Ilkay Gundogan and Oleksandr Zinchenko for the match, with both players unlikely to return until after the international break.
City beat Chelsea in an impressive performance at Stamford Bridge last weekend but slipped to a 2-0 defeat at PSG in midweek in the Champions League.
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