Wednesday 28 December 2016 08:10, UK
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he has not felt the need to watch Manchester City ahead of their New Year's Eve clash after Pep Guardiola was spotted carrying out a scouting mission at Anfield on Tuesday.
The City boss watched from the stands as Liverpool came from behind to claim an emphatic 4-1 win over Stoke - a victory which lifted the Reds above City and into second place, six points behind leaders Chelsea.
"I respect them a lot but I have not been to City's stadium this season or last to watch games. Maybe they want to watch good football," he said with a laugh when asked about Guardiola's presence.
"We are already looking forward. It's a difficult game for both teams but an exciting one. The best news for us is that it's at Anfield.
"They're an outstanding side, we are not too bad. It'll be a nice game.
"Whatever I say, we cannot win it now but maybe I could say a few things that make it more difficult for us.
"It's probably best I shut my mouth!"
Jon Walters opened the scoring for Stoke, but strikes from Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino ensured Liverpool went into the half-time interval in front.
An own goal from Giannelli Imbula shortly after the break put Liverpool further ahead before substitute Daniel Sturridge rounded off the scoring with his first Premier League goal of the season.
"Confidence is not a problem of the team at the moment. We know about our quality, but obviously we don't show it all the time," Klopp added.
"The start of the game was really difficult because the plan of Stoke was to press really high especially with the two strikers.
"We were not patient enough in our passing game, we could have done more.
"It became a wild game and when they had the ball it was immediately in the air.
"A lot of things we could have done better but we forced two goals with our quality. We scored a wonderful third goal and then Daniel closed the game."
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