Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool cannot rely on Anfield atmosphere | Mikel Arteta: We'll have to be at our very best

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says his players cannot rely on Anfield's atmosphere to end their poor run of form, with Mikel Arteta making plain Arsenal's ambition to end their long winless run at the stadium when the sides meet live on Sky Sports on Sunday.

Despite a disappointing season, Liverpool have only lost once at home in the Premier League this term and conceded just nine goals.

Premier League leaders Arsenal visit this weekend but the Gunners haven't won at Anfield in the league since September 2012, when current boss Arteta was playing in midfield.

Liverpool are four games without a win in all competitions but their last victory - a 7-0 thrashing of rivals Manchester United - shows what is achievable in front of their own supporters.

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"I don't know exactly what you can say about us at the moment, so that shows the situation. It's still Anfield, we're at home and we still have to show a reaction and an improvement," Klopp said at his pre-match news conference.

"Anfield is not the only thing we should rely on, but it is no secret that the combination of our people, the ground and the boys is pretty good.

"That is what we have to throw in, but not rely on it. I have a very good feeling we can do it."

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In contrast, opposition boss Arteta is eager for his side to conquer the occasion. He defended footage of him playing Liverpool anthem You'll Never Walk Alone on a loud speaker during training ahead of last season's trip to Anfield but called on his players to rise to the challenge this term.

"We prepare every game in a different way, we prepare the team mentality, the scenario we're going to be playing for. That day we decided to do that," he said.

"We know we'll have to be at our very best to win the game. And especially better than in the second half last year.

"We have a big opportunity to go to Anfield and do something we haven't done in many years. They are a great team, managed by a top manager and create an incredible atmosphere that makes it difficult for any opponent."

Arteta was guilty of losing his own cool last season, becoming involved in a touchline bust-up with Klopp at 0-0 which seemed to lift the home fans.

He insists there is no lasting grudge between him and Klopp and is confident his players will remain focused on the task at hand this time around - just as they have done in other high-pressure games this season.

"That's football," Arteta said. "After that we hugged each other and moved on. I have full respect and admiration for what he and the coaching staff have done at Liverpool. We move on.

"I reacted that day, to defend our players in the best possible way. But I don't like seeing me like this, so hopefully [I won't do it again].

"[Arsenal's players] know that [they must keep their composure]. They're aware of that. We know what we have to do.

"We went to White Hart Lane and did what the team did and the atmosphere doesn't get much harder than that."

Arteta also referenced Arsenal's win over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season as an important factor - and a victory which helped propel his side into this title challenge.

"That was a big day for us, a big result and especially the way we did it," he said. "It all adds up, all helps and gives confidence to the team to go to a different level and believe they can beat these kind of teams."

Klopp: Liverpool must play better football

Liverpool are seven points adrift of the top four and have four teams sitting above them in the table with 10 games remaining.

They still have to play Tottenham, Brentford and Aston Villa during the run-in but have lost more league games in 2023 than they did throughout the whole of 2022 - the year they won two trophies and were runners-up in the Champions League and Premier League.

"We have to play better football and keep the ball in decisive areas," Klopp said. "It sounds so simple but the last game against Chelsea was a super example.

"Those two teams played at an incredible level last season but neither side was able to do that. That just shows us what happens if the confidence levels aren't at the highest levels.

"We have to help the boys with different things, and in a home game, a massive boost can be the crowd."

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Klopp: Diaz set to return against Leeds

Klopp also confirmed Liverpool winger Luis Diaz will make his long-awaited return to the squad against Leeds at Elland Road in 10 days' time, live on Monday Night Football.

Klopp said the Colombia international, out since October with a knee injury, is on the verge of a comeback.

"The plan with Luis is that he will be available 100 per cent for Leeds (on April 17)," said the German.

"Again, it looks good, everything is fine, but it was a long, long injury and so we have to be careful. We will probably not involve him for Sunday."

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Midfielder Thiago Alcantara, sidelined for two months with a hip problem, is fit to return, however, while Virgil van Dijk will be back after illness forced him to miss Tuesday's draw at Chelsea.

"Thiago looks slightly different. He was not out that long, trained now three, four times with the team and might be available but we have to check how he feels," added Klopp. "Virgil, completely normal, was back in training."

Watch Liverpool vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 4pm on Super Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.

Liverpool's remaining fixtures…

April 9: Arsenal (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports

April 17: Leeds (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports

April 22: Nottingham Forest (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm

April 26: West Ham (A) - Premier League, kick-off 7.45pm

April 30: Tottenham (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports

May 3: Fulham (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm

May 6: Brentford (H) - Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports

May 13: Leicester (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm

May 20: Aston Villa (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm

May 28: Southampton (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm

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