Jurgen Klopp makes Pep Guardiola claim ahead of Man City vs Liverpool plus team news update

Jurgen Klopp has said Pep Guardiola is the ‘best coach in the world’ ahead of Sunday’s Premier League encounter between Manchester City and Liverpool.

The German manager addressed the media as the build up to the potential title decider continues, with first hosting second at the Etihad.

Like City, Liverpool have Champions League fixtures either side of Sunday’s game, and Klopp gave a fitness update on his squad ahead of the league clash.

The former Borussia Dortmund chief also discussed the rivalry between City and Liverpool, but said this weekend’s match will not necessarily decide where the title ends up.

Here are the main topics Klopp spoke about on Friday…

Fitness update

"Pretty much [everyone is fit]. I had a look last time on my smart phone and it looks like everyone is available again."

Guardiola ‘overthinking’ comment was ironic

“You all [reporters] have a responsibility on this planet, if you want to talk to us, then do us a favour and help us. He said ironically, ‘I overthink things, I like overthinking things’. Pep is the best coach in the world, I think we would all agree with that. It may be a coincidence that it didn’t work out so far in the Champions League, but if anybody doubts him, I have no idea how that could happen.”

Sunday won’t decide who wins the league

“I cannot decide what people think but we can just go through the possible results.

“If we win, we are two points up and if everyone thinks that’s it, done and dusted, then I cannot help them. If we lose we are four points behind and if anybody thinks that’s it then I cannot change it, but I know nobody from Man City will think of it like that and a draw we’re one point behind. It’s a very important game.

“We are really looking forward to it. It’s one of the biggest challenges you can face in football. That is really nice, that’s why you do this kind of thing.

“Imagine if we were 14 or 15 points behind it would still be a great game but it would be lacking something and meaningless. We qualified for a great game with the season played so far and I’m really happy we can be part of it. I can imagine a lot of people will watch it and we’ll give it a try.”

City vs Liverpool rivalry

“I’ve watched a lot of football in my life but cannot say I was always in the subject. I know about big rivalries. It’s cool. In the last four years, since we stepped up a little bit and closed the gap on City slightly, it’s interesting - absolutely. We push each other to incredible points tallies - madness.

“I never thought these kind of things were possible, especially not in this league. The consistency both teams showed is incredible. We had our top year where we won the league and City could not - there was a little gap. There were years, especially last year when there was a gap again because we had our problems. Apart from that, it was always close.”