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: Other team news
If Alexander-Arnold is absent, James Milner is likely to continue to deputise at right back and is set to start against his former team.
Roberto Firmino is also in contention after returning in the 5-1 win over Porto, in which he came off the bench to score two goals late on.
Virgil van Dijk is yet to play three matches in a week since returning from his serious knee injury but is expected to stay in the team for such an important match.
Curtis Jones, meanwhile, could be handed another start for the Reds after impressing at both Brentford and Porto, where he was man of the match on Tuesday night.
Liverpool press conference: Trent Alexander-Arnold injury news
Jurgen Klopp is set to give an update on Trent Alexander-Arnold today but barring a late fitness boost the full-back is not expected to be involved on Saturday.
Alexander-Arnold missed the 5-1 win away to Porto on Tuesday and Klopp confirmed afterwards that both he and midfielder Thiago are unlikely to feature.
“No,” Klopp said when asked if he had an update on the pair following the Champions League match.
“No ‘news’ means they are doing well but they won’t have enough time for being back against City, but I expect them both to be back after the international break.
“But we have a good team so we still have solutions and we have to use them and yeah, after the international break the boys will be back I think.”
Liverpool press conference
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp is set to address the media this afternoon ahead of his team’s Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday.
The manager is expected to reflect upon the Reds’ victory over Porto in the Champions League from earlier this week, while previewing the meeting with Man City and offering updates on the fitness of some key players. On Tuesday, Liverpool were 5-1 winners away to Porto, with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino both scoring twice and Sadio Mane rounding out the result. That win extended the side’s unbeaten run at the start of this new season to nine games.
Upcoming opponents Man City have stuttered here and there since the beginning of their campaign, including on Tuesday evening when they were beaten 2-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital, but Pep Guardiola’s players achieved an impressive 1-0 win against Chelsea in their most recent Premier League outing, dragging themselves into the title race. They sit second in the table on 13 points, one behind leaders Liverpool, who could be without Trent Alexander-Arnold again after his absence in Paris, while Klopp should reveal whether or not Thiago Alcantara can return this weekend from his recent calf injury.
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