Jurgen Klopp has said Liverpool won’t ‘open the bottles of champagne’ should the Reds beat title rivals Manchester City this weekend.
The Premier League’s top two meet in an epic encounter at Anfield this weekend, with just one point separating the teams in the table.
Arsenal are a further point back in the closest title race in a decade and the Gunners can move temporarily top of the table with a win over Brentford on Saturday evening.
Klopp admits the tightness at the top means this weekend’s result will not be definitive on the Premier League title race, insisting there is plenty of football still to play after Sunday’s showdown on Merseyside.
“A title race decider? I don’t know who brought that up, it is really early [in the season still,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference.
“I don’t think after any result anyone should open the bottles of champagne, but it’s three points and it is massive.
“They’re an incredibly strong opponent so we don’t hide but we are knowing how difficult it is – it is a big game and we are excited to be part of it.”
Klopp will face Pep Guardiola for the final time as a Premier League manager after announcing he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
Ahead of this weekend’s crunch clash, Klopp is hoping that the Anfield crowd can play their part in energising the performance from his team.
“Anfield from time-to-time has an impact on our game and the atmosphere our people can create is second to none, is anyone offended by that?
“These are the games you want to play and the games you want to get a ticket to. Anfield for us is a massive factor, it would be embarrassing to say ‘please help us’ because people will.
“We are really competitive and both are blessed with having good players and that is it pretty much – it’s not a rivalry.”
The Reds enter the game in good form after seven straight wins in all competitions, including a 5-1 thrashing of Sparta Prague on Thursday evening.
Ibrahima Konate was substituted as a precaution against the Czech champions and Klopp confirmed the centre-back will be assessed ahead of the Manchester City game. Joe Gomez and Mohamed Salah are fit to feature for Liverpool.
“Fresh, Joe Gomez is fine,” Klopp said on the fitness of his squad.
“Ibou [Ibrahima Konate] I don’t know, he was rather positive last night. He made the decision in the right moment, but I don’t know if it means a lot – I don’t have the results of it yet.
“All the others are fine.”
