Micah Richards believes that Jurgen Klopp has fallen for the mind games following Pep Guardiola's comments about Sadio Mane on Saturday.
Man City travel to Liverpool looking to cut their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League in a crunch Premier League title clash.
Liverpool have made an unbeaten start to the season after 11 matches but City can close the gap to three points with victory at Anfield.
Pep Guardiola started the war of words ahead of the game as he suggested Mane was a 'diver' with Klopp hitting back at his opposite number on Monday.
Richards thinks the minds games already underway days ahead of the game with the ex-Man City defender suggesting Klopp has bitten to Guardiola's comments.
Speaking on BBC Five Live's Monday Night Club, he explained: "I think it's mind games. That's what the title race needs.
"Two great managers coming up against each other. He's just trying to upset the applecart a bit.
"I don't think it's fear, why would it be?
"Pep has already won the league so all the pressure is on Liverpool because they are great in Europe but the fans just want that Premier League. I think all the pressure is on Liverpool.
"It looks like Pep's comments have stirred Klopp up. When things were said when we were in the title race, you try not to react to it.
"The way Klopp has reacted, he's had a little nibble there."
