LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp believes Arsenal have grown in leaps and bounds this season as his side prepare to welcome the Premier League leaders.
Klopp has led Liverpool to several victories against the Gunners in recent seasons, but he is expecting a tough clash on Sunday against the London club.
“They are a different team. Mikel (Arteta) has been building for a few years now and the outcome is pretty impressive. Really good football, top players and good match plans,” Klopp said during his pre-match press conference today.
“It’s a mix of really good football and extreme emotions. It is a good way to play. I know people ask for time for managers but I really think Mikel deserved each minute he got there when things weren’t going well.
“The team is very well set up, good transfers on top of that but a really stable team. That’s what they’re using now.”
On his changes in the 0-0 draw against Chelsea in midweek, which saw him start the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson on the bench, Klopp explained: “We had the game against [Manchester] City which is an influence, physically and performance wise. It is both.
“We had one proper session since [Chelsea]. The boys don’t show me they don’t want to fight. This is not the situation we are in.
“In training, I have to make decisions about the team based on what I saw in training.
“I am really calm in this moment. I am in it and see everything and base my decisions on that. In the end, we will see what the outcome is.”
The draw at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday ended Liverpool’s losing run, but they are eighth in the Premier League table, 10 points adrift of the top four with just 10 games left.
They have been almost invincible at home, however, with only Leeds United managing to beat them at Anfield in the Premier League this season.
“Our main problem at Chelsea was we had the ball and gave it away. That is not how it should be. I liked the desire and the passion,” Klopp added.
“We have another chance. We will give it a proper try and we will need Anfield. Let’s go for it.
“I don’t know exactly what you can say about us at the moment, so that shows the situation. It’s still Anfield, we’re at home and we still have to show a reaction and an improvement.”
