Jurgen Klopp has used his Liverpool programme notes to tell all on his rivalry with Diego Simeone - insisting he has "the highest respect" for the Atletico Madrid boss despite their frequent clashes.
The needle between the two sides stretches back to the 2019/20 season when Atleti dumped them out of the Champions League at Anfield.
The rivalry was renewed when they were drawn in the same group this season and the two played out a feisty clash in Madrid with Liverpool edging it.
They meet for the return fixture at Anfield tonight and much has been made of the two managers' seemingly fractious relationship.
But Klopp insists all isn't quite what he seems as he has huge respect for his opposite number.
He wrote: "I welcome Diego Simeone, his players, staff, officials and the supporters of our visitors.
"Of course it is not that long ago that we faced each other in what was a highly eventful contest and I'm pretty sure a lot of the 'drama' around that game has dominated the build-up.
"One of the advantages of having a programme column such as this one is that I can say in a very precise and unedited way what I actually think about certain things.
"I want to be as clear as I possibly can that my respect for Diego and his achievements could not be higher. It really couldn't.
"I know previous comments from me have probably allowed for a different view to be taken. From the questions I had ahead of the match in Madrid it is clear it is perceived that way by certain people.
"Diego Simeone is one of the best coaches and managers in world football and has been for a sustained period of time.
"His team is a results machine and ultimately that is what this job is about for those of us privileged enough to do it at a professional level.
"He is a competitor and he is a winner. He has managed to re-invent Atletico Madrid a couple of times and yet maintain the principles and direction he and his staff want them to go in."
However he did insist the meeting with the La Liga champions at Anfield was going to be a fight - and one his players would be up for.
He continued: "When you face them you know you have to win the battle first.
"You have to be prepared to stand toe-to-toe and fight. If you don't win the fight you have no chance of winning the contest."
