Jurgen Klopp believes Manchester City have a player who is on the same level as Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
Manchester City will travel to Anfield on Sunday in a monumental match in the Premier League title race.
Liverpool currently sit at the top of the pile but only have a one-point advantage over City, allowing Pep Guardiola’s side to take the ascendency with a victory.
However, a win for Jurgen Klopp’s outfit would give Liverpool the underhand while a draw would open the door for Arsenal to move top.
There is a lot on the line and the heat has been raised even further ahead of the match by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who claimed Liverpool’s trophy wins mean more than City’s.
That hasn’t sat well with City fans or the players, with Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland hitting back at the remarks.
Now Klopp has had his say and, though he stands by his right-back’s words, he believes it came from a place of respect.
The German waxed lyrical over City and even compared Kevin De Bruyne with club icon Steven Gerrard.
Jurgen Klopp compares Kevin De Bruyne to Steven Gerrard
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Klopp said: “I had a few people telling me what I should say.
“I am not sure how often we have to say in this club how often we respect City. Pep is the best manager in the world.
“I have a good life not being even close to that, incredible players. The best No.9, De Bruyne will go down in history with Steven Gerrard, imagine that conversation!
“Phil Foden, the best English player. Trent understands that but he is a Liverpool fan, he stood on the sides before the pitch.
“Our slogan ‘This Means More’ means it means more to us. Two years ago, we had a parade after losing the Champions League the night before and the Premier League.
“Tell me a city that would do this where it looks like we won? This club is special to us.
“So if we feel it, why not say it? I am not really interested [in outside opinions]. It’s how he feels.
“I got told about it. I am pretty sure he showed total respect as well. Man City the most successful in years and maybe Europe.
“Ridiculous record. Means a lot for their people I am sure. Maybe for us it’s because we didn’t win that many.”
It’s given City even more motivation
It doesn’t really matter how respectful Alexander-Arnold was trying to be with his comments, they haven’t been received that way by fans or players.
The stakes were already incredibly high going into Sunday’s game and no one needed any extra motivation but City have been handed some.
In a cliched world, Guardiola would pin a snippet of Alexnader-Arnold’s comments on the dressing room wall and his players would go out thirsty for revenge.
In reality, City will take to the field even more determined to get the win and show just how much it will mean to everyone associated with the club.
Klopp is completely fair and rational in his comments and paid De Bruyne, who cost City £54m, an especially huge compliment.
But Alexander-Arnold, who is unavailable for the match due to injury, might have awoken a beast for his teammates to face.
