'Manchester City are the best team in Europe': Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool, the only team still unbeaten in the Premier League this season, host Pep Guardiola's side on Sunday

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola. Reuters

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is preparing his players for one of their toughest fights against Manchester City, who he described as the best team in Europe.

Liverpool are the only remaining unbeaten team in the Premier League and are top of the standings with 14 points, just ahead of Pep Guardiola's City who they face on Sunday.

City would be looking to bounce back after their midweek Champions League defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.

"We have to play a proper football game to have a chance, but it's Anfield. We're really looking forward to the game," Klopp was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"We are in a good moment, that's what you have to be to have a chance against them. For me, they're the best team in Europe. Last weekend they played [and beat] Chelsea, who are good, but City were clearly better on that day.

"We have to defend at the absolute highest level to stay in the game and make sure the goals we score make the difference... You have to be brave, play front footed, be cheeky in moments, really be your best version. Only then you have a chance."

Guardiola praises ‘unstoppable’ Messi after Champions League defeat

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  Paris Saint-Germain's Argentina forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Champions League match against Manchester City. AFP

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  Messi takes aim after a mesmerising run. Getty

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  Lionel Messi shoots against Manchester City. EPA

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  Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi celebrates his first goal for the club. EPA

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  Lionel Messi and Neymar celebrate victory. Getty

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  Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain applaud the fans. Getty

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  Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal with Neymar. Reuters

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  Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi celebrates. EPA

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  Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi celebrates. EPA

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  Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrate after victory. Getty

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  Messi celebrates after scoring his team's second goal. AFP

Meanwhile, City boss Pep Guardiola believes his rivalry with Klopp has only helped him improve as a manager.

With Guardiola and Klopp in charge, the two clubs have become major forces in English football.

Guardiola said: "He helped me, his teams helped me, to be a better manager. He put me at another level, to think about it and to prove myself what I had to do to be a better manager.

"That's the reason I'm still in this business. Some managers, and Jurgen is one of them, challenge you to make a step forward."

City ended their long wait for a win away to Liverpool with a 4-1 victory in February but they have not won in front of a crowd at Anfield since 2003.

Fatigue could take its toll on Guardiola's team after a challenging week. Three days after their emphatic win at Stamford Bridge, the English champions were beaten 2-0 by PSG.

Liverpool, by contrast, were able to unwind long before the end of a 5-1 Champions League win over Porto.

Liverpool v Porto player ratings

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  PORTO RATINGS: Diogo Costa - 2: The 22-year-old pushed Jones’s shot back into the danger area, allowing Salah to score the opener with ease. The goalkeeper seemed to stop and give up on the second goal and was embarrassed by his role in the fourth. An awful display. AFP

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  Jesus Manuel Corona - 3: The Mexican did not do enough to stop Jones shooting before the opening goal and was tormented by Robertson and Mane. He gave Jota a chance with a dreadful error. AFP

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  Fabio Cardoso - 4: The 27-year-old was drafted into the team at late notice to make his debut when Pepe was injured in the warmup. He might have wished he had stayed on the bench. Getty

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  Ivan Marcano - 4: The Spaniard made some good blocks but was frequently stretched. The goalkeeper was mainly at fault for Liverpool’s fourth goal but Marcano should have already snuffed out the danger. EPA

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  Zaidu Sanusi - 3: The Nigerian was caught flatfooted by Costa’s save and had his pocket picked by Salah. He could not cope with the Liverpool striker. Getty

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  Otavio - 4: The 26-year-old did not last long, succumbing to injury after 14 minutes. His loss was unfortunate because he looked like he might put up some resistance. EPA

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  Sergio Oliveira - 4: The 29-year-old was irresponsible on the ball and did not challenge Liverpool’s supremacy. He was replaced by Aquino Cossa in the 67th minute. AP

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  Mateus Uribe - 3: The Colombian could not find a foothold in the game. Events bypassed him until he was replaced by Vitinha in the 56th minute. AFP

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  Luis Diaz - 4: The Colombian never really exposed Milner, despite a lot of early possession. The winger had two shots but both were tame. Getty

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  Mehdi Taremi - 4: The Iranian scored a fine header but spent most of the game isolated. With better service he might have had a greater impact. AP

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  Toni Martinez - 3: The Spaniard could not get into the game. He dropped back to try to become involved but gave away a free kick in a dangerous area. Withdrawn at half time for Grujic. Getty

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  SUBS: Fabio Vieira - 4: The 21-year-old joined the action early when Otavio limped off after 14 minutes. He began to cause the defence problems in the second half and set up the consolation goal. AP

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  Marco Grujic - 3: Replaced Martinez at half time and did not improve the team. The Serb was poor against his former club. Getty

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  Wendell - 4: The Brazilian came on for Zaidu with 34 minutes left and was marginally better at last-gasp defending. AP

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  Vitinha - 4: The 21-year-old entered the match at Uribe’s expense in the 56th minute. He had more impact but should have done better with a shot inside the area. Reuters

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  Pepe - 4: The 24-year-old came on for Oliveira in the 67th minute. He found it hard to get into the action. Getty

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  LIVERPOOL RATINGS; Alisson Becker - 7: A quiet night for the Brazilian but he maintained his concentration and was effective when needed. Reuters

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  James Milner - 7: The 35-year-old knew he would be targeted and made sure that the contest with Diaz became physical. There was only one winner. He set up the second goal with an exquisite cross. Replaced by Gomez in the 66th minute. EPA

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  Joel Matip - 7: The centre back was untroubled by Porto’s attack. He used the ball well when in possession. Getty

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  Virgil van Dijk - 7: The Dutchman is still feeling his way back to his top form after his long injury layoff. He stood strong during Porto’s rare attacks. Getty

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  Andrew Robertson - 8: The Scot was at the top of his game, rampaging forward and defending stoutly. He caused havoc down the left. Getty

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  Fabinho - 7: The Brazilian allowed the Porto midfield no latitude. He set the tempo and killed off any danger at source. Reuters

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  Jordan Henderson - 7: The captain gave another effective performance on his 400th appearance for the club. He went close with a first-half free kick. AP

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  Curtis Jones - 9: The 20-year-old dominated the game with direct running, clever passing and hard work. He was involved in four of the goals. Getty

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  Mohamed Salah - 8: The Egyptian scored twice and made Zaidu’s life a nightmare. No defences can stop him when in this mood. He might have scored more if not taken off for Firmino in the 67 minute. AFP

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  Diogo Jota - 7: The Portuguese can count himself unlucky after not scoring against his former club. He buzzed around the box creating danger before giving way for Origi with two minutes left. Getty

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  Sadio Mane - 7: The Senegalese combined superbly with Robertson. He is still some way from his best but his goal was fair reward for his efforts. AP

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  SUBS: Joe Gomez - 6: The 24-year-old had a couple of nervous moments after replacing Milner in the 66th minute but showed he can be another option at right back. AP

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  Takumi Minamino - 6: The Japanese was brought on for Mane with 24 minutes to go. He looked for the ball and tried to make things happen. Getty

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  Roberto Firmino - 8: The Brazilian got 24 minutes playing time after replacing Salah and made the most of them. He scored two goals and had some splendid touches. Getty

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  Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6: The Englishman came on for Henderson with 17 minutes left. He needs more playing time to make a real impact. Getty

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  Divock Origi – 6: The Belgian was given two minutes of action when Jota went off. By then Liverpool were in neutral and closing out the game. Getty