Mikel Arteta has paid tribute to how Jurgen Klopp has transformed Liverpool’s fortunes, but has played down suggestions his Arsenal side are following the German’s blueprint at Anfield.
Taking over on Merseyside in October 2015, Klopp has led his Reds side to being crowned English, European and world champions since first returning to the Champions League in 2017/18. Meanwhile, having already won the League Cup this season, Liverpool are now chasing an unprecedented quadruple and could move to within a point of league leaders Manchester City if they win at the Emirates on Wednesday.
However, Arsenal won’t be pushovers for the Reds as the Gunners look to qualify for next season’s Champions League, having not competed in Europe’s elite though since 2016/17. Arteta’s side are currently front-runners to qualify for the continental competition though, with them currently occupying fourth spot ahead of Manchester United, boasting a point advantage and three games in hand.
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The first of those games in hand comes against Liverpool on Wednesday, and Arteta is well aware of the challenge his side is facing. And having served as Pep Guardiola ’s assistant manager at Man City before taking over at Arsenal, the Spaniard is well-placed to assess the Reds credentials and their transformation under Klopp.
“I think we played against some top teams and we played against City not long ago and you know the problems that they put in,” he told reporters. “Every week is a test in the Premier League and a very different one, and the challenges that you face in those games are completely different, but tomorrow certainly is a team that dominates every aspect of the game, so when that happens you have to be at your best.
“You need that type of performance and then you need a result. The reason why we didn't get that result against City was because we didn't dominate every single aspect of the game. The moment that you open the door, you know you will be punished.
“Tomorrow we are going to have to play at least at that level, or better and control every single scenario. Being able to beat the most in-form team in the country would be really, really big so that’s the aim tomorrow.”
He continued: “Credit to Jurgen, the coaching staff and to the club as well for what they have created. They haven't just created a team that can compete and be successful, they have created a huge cultural understanding of who Liverpool is today.
“The stadium and the atmosphere they can create, the support, the level, how they communicate. It's a long of things, not just individuals, or the players that they have recruited and the plan that they had to reach that level. It's a whole plan that I really value I think.
“It's very different (to our situation) because our histories are different, the timings of success are different. But we all want to achieve the same thing - to be the best team in this league and that's our focus.”
Should Arsenal take points off Liverpool, Arteta will be doing his former club a favour after Man City were held to a draw by Crystal Palace on Monday night. The reigning champions currently lead the Reds by four points, having played a game more, with the two sides set to lock horns at the Etihad next month.
But despite Wednesday’s game against the Reds having potentially huge ramifications for the title-race ahead of next month’s showdown, Arteta revealed Guardiola hasn’t been in touch with him.
“Not yet, I haven’t heard from him,” he confirmed.
After Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal on Wednesday night, they are next in Premier League action following the March international break when they host Watford on April 2. Win that game and the Reds could move top of the table, temporarily at least, before travelling ton Man City on April 10.
