Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to give Arsenal a ‘proper Anfield experience’ as the Premier League’s top two meet this weekend.
Liverpool host the league-leading Gunners tomorrow evening, with just a point between the teams in the table. The Reds boast a fine recent record in this fixture and have not lost to Arsenal at Anfield since 2012. Klopp is keen for that run to continue as Liverpool target top spot at Christmas.
“We play a super-strong team. We play a team that was exceptional last season. They are coming back and are even better than last season,” Klopp said on the Gunners at his pre-match press conference.
“They had top players and already had a top team, but now bring in good players to improve the team.
“They went through a Champions League group pretty easily and play a really good brand of football. It’s a massive game.
“But, we have to make sure we make it a proper home game. A proper Anfield experience. That is all I want.”
Klopp believes Mikel Arteta’s team have improved from last season and said the North Londoners are genuine title challengers.
“I thought they looked like that last year, to be honest, then some results kicked them out of it. I don’t know the exact reasons why.
“In our game here they were outstanding until we found a way into the game and then maybe in the end we should have won it.
“That was the team we faced – a super-strong team. That’s what they are. Then they bring in [Declan] Rice and others – [David] Raya in goal – it doesn’t make you worse.
“He [Arteta] could build exactly the team he wanted. They have a good mix between physicality – they are big, strong players, and fast – as well as good technique and very good organisation. They are really well coached and well drilled.
“They have taken another step and will have my respect, but we want the points.”
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