BATTLES AGAINST PEP NEW KOP OBSESSION

JURGEN KLOPP laughed riotously when it was mentioned that Pep Guardiola seems obsessed with Liverpool.

The mirth revealed his mood when it comes to facing Manchester City, in part because he relishes encounters with a coach he regards as the best in world football.

In his way, Klopp is equally obsessed with his rival manager. That is because he admires Guardiola (above, with Mo Salah) and his commitment to playing what he thinks is the right brand of football.

“He’s obsessed?! I didn’t watch the documentary so I don’t know what you are talking about,” said Klopp referring to the ‘All Or Nothing’ broadcast two years ago.

“City do what they always do and it is that good that they never have to change it.

“City have a good plan, a clear plan, and in each position a player who has the physicality and the technique to make a difference.

“They play a specific way, they are pretty dominant, but if they have to counter-attack they are pretty strong. They have speed and creativity and that is not so cool when the other team has that. It makes things pretty tricky.

“It makes it a challenge but also interesting because you don’t play a lot of games against a team of such high quality.” Klopp left Roberto Firmino out of the side which won at Atalanta in midweek, but against City may leave out Diogo Jota, who scored a hat-trick in Italy.

Firmino (below) has struggled in front of goal over the past year but Klopp is the Brazilian’s biggest admirer. ”I don’t have to say one word about Bobby Firmino and how important he is for us,” added the German.

“He was the differencemaker in so many games, so I would feel really embarrassed if I had to mention once again the qualities of Bobby Firmino.”