Jurgen Klopp has explained how Liverpool will try to beat Manchester City on Sunday, something his side haven't managed to do in the Premier League in almost three years.
Anfield will be the setting for the first league meeting between City and Liverpool this season, and despite the host's patchy start to the campaign it promises to be an enthralling match. Erling Haaland has inspired City to start the season in unusually strong fashion, his 15 goals in nine outings helping to propel City to second in the standings, a point behind league leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool find themselves 13 points adrift of the Blues with a game-in-hand after winning just two of the opening eight matches. Their most recent defeat came at Arsenal last weekend, although they did follow up that 3-2 defeat with a 7-1 victory against Rangers in the Champions League.
READ MORE: Solving Phil Foden conundrum will be key to Man City breaking Liverpool FC run at Anfield
City and Liverpool have dominated the Premier League title race over the past five seasons, and their meetings tend to produce thrilling contests. Speaking to the media on Friday, Klopp gave an insight into how his team will try to keep City in check and look to win the game themselves.
"I enjoy preparing the game, it's the biggest challenge you can face in football," Klopp said. "Football is about closing down spaces, players, getting challenges right. Against City it's always a challenge. They are at the moment the best team in the world.
"There are moments when you have to suffer and there are moments when you have to be dominant as well. Finding the right balance is the challenge."
Klopp's Liverpool are famous for their high-pressing style, something City struggled to cope with in the early years of Pep Guardiola's City reign. City can expect more of the same on Sunday, but that isn't the only side to Liverpool's game.
"We always were brave against City. But our formation changed to close some gaps. We have to make sure we are the best defensive unit we can be, that means high press and all the different areas. We have to figure it out," Klopp said.
"Then when have to cheeky, be flexible, pass the ball. We played a good game vs Rangers. Harvey [Elliott] and Fabio [Carvalho] were really flexible. Both 6s did really well. That's what you have to do - pass the ball around and let the opposition defend as well. Sometimes you forget you can cause City problems as well. We have to remember that."
READ NEXT:
