Jurgen Klopp has acknowledged the progress Arsenal have made since last season (Picture: Liverpool FC)
Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool are set to lock horns with an Arsenal side who are even better than the team who rivalled Manchester City for the Premier League title last season.
The Gunners regrouped in the summer following a collapse, sparked by throwing away a two-goal lead at Anfield, that cost them the title and invested heavily in their squad.
Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and David Raya represented the headline purchases and all three have helped Mikel Arteta’s new-look side back to the summit.
Although they are in effect seven points worse off than they were at the same stage last term, Klopp believes this current incarnation of Arteta’s Arsenal represent even more formidable opposition.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Liverpool manager said: ‘We play a super strong team. A team that played an exceptional season last season and came back even better than last season.
‘They bring in top players, were already a top team, brought in top players that improve the team.
‘They went through in the Champions League pretty easily and play a really good Premier League campaign.
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‘They looked like that (a team that could win the title last season) but then some results kicked in, I don’t know exactly the reasons.
‘I remember out last game here, they were outstanding until we found a way into the game and maybe in the end we should’ve won it.
‘That was a super strong team, that’s what they are. You bring in Rice and Havertz it doesn’t make you worse. Raya in goal, it doesn’t make you worse.
‘Mikel has built exactly the team he wants. They are a good mix between physicality, good technique, very good organisation. They are really well coached, you can see every year they make another step.
‘They really have my respect.’
MORE : Jamie Carragher names the Liverpool star who would guarantee Arsenal ‘nine extra points’ this season
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The Gunners will hope to record a statement win at a venue that hasn’t been a happy hunting ground.