Jurgen Klopp has agreed with Jamie Carragher 's claim that Liverpool 's rivalry with Manchester City is the best in Premier League history.
The Reds boss is preparing to face Pep Guardiola 's side in a potential title-deciding match on Sunday and reckons the two teams' squabbles in recent years put them clear of tussles involving the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Klopp was told about Carragher's verdict and empathically agreed.
He said: "Yes! The consistency both teams have shown over the period is crazy. We know it's tough. What has changed in the four years is everybody else thinks it's tough."
Asked whether each team brings out the best in one another, the German admitted: "Probably. If you play professional football at the highest level, the focus is on your games.
"In sport, I think what helps the most is a strong opponent. In the long term, especially. I think [Rafael] Nadal and [Roger] Federer enjoyed the rivalry they had. That's how it is in sport. I wouldn't say I'm thankful City is that good, but it didn't harm our development."
With just one point separating the two sides and only eight games remaining, Sunday's clash will likely go a long way in deciding who lifts the Premier League trophy in May. And Klopp went on to outline his belief that the game will live up to expectations as an entertaining contest.
"I'm expecting a good game," Klopp continued. "I know very often that doesn't happen. But it should be an interesting watch, because both teams really go for it." On the topic of it being a title decider, Liverpool's manager added: "I cannot decide what people think, but we can just go through the possible results.
"If we win we are two points ahead, we lose we're four points behind. If it's a draw, one point behind - that is it. Does anyone think that's done and dusted? A very important game. I like it, if we were fourteen or fifteen points behind it will still be a good game. We've qualified for a good game with the season we've played so far."
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The Reds come into the match in good spirits, having beaten Benfica 3-1 away from home on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Having not beaten City at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League since November 2015, two months into Klopp's reign, even eight successive away wins are not enough to convince him that they will come out victorious.
"It's important (we have the same mindset away from home) but none of these (other) games can compare to City," Klopp affirmed. "They have no weakness. They are really good in all areas."
While the rivalry has a competitive edge, the two gaffers - who will also square off in next Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley - share a mutual respect for each other, with the German saying of Guardiola: "Pep is the best coach in the world and we all would agree on that. If anybody doubts him, I have no idea how that could happen."
