Jurgen Klopp understands Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola's claim Liverpool are the toughest side he has faced during his managerial career.
Guardiola tussled with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid during his time in charge at Barcelona and then crossed swords with Klopp's Borussia Dortmund while in the Bayern Munich hotseat.
The City boss, though, called the Reds "the toughest opponent" he has ever faced when speaking after his team's 4-1 humiliation of neighbours United on Sunday.
City and Liverpool have been the dominant forces in the Premier League for the past four years and are again tussling for the title with the Reds six points behind with a game in hand.
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And when told it was quite the statement from Guardiola, Klopp said: “Yeah, but I can give that back easily!
"I could say City are the toughest opponent I have ever had but I should not forget I faced him already at Bayern so I can’t say it was much easier.
“But I know what he means. We pushed each other on to insane levels the last few years. Of course we couldn’t cope with it last year for obvious reasons, but for other years we were really around.
“I don’t think City would get the amount of points they would get this year if we weren’t around, and the other way around pretty much the same.
“It’s good. But there a lot of games to play and we will see where we end up."
Klopp, meanwhile, has played down the significance of Mohamed Salah being substituted towards the end of Saturday's tense 1-0 home Premier League win over West Ham United.
Salah cut a frustrated figure as he slowly walked off 11 minutes from time when replaced by Diogo Jota.
But Klopp, who is preparing his side for Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 second leg against Inter Milan, explained: “Exactly the same substitution like for all other players.
"Usually you leave Mo on as he is that desperate to score a goal and if the situation leaves us counter-attacking then it makes absolute sense to leave him on.
“Mo defends always to the end but we had an opportunity to bring on a fresh player in Diogo Jota so we did that. No further reason."
