Thursday 29 December 2016 23:46, UK
Jurgen Klopp insists history will count for nothing when Liverpool take on Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at Anfield on New Year's Eve.
The German will come up against Guardiola for the eighth time in his career when his second-placed side face City, who are just one place and one point behind the Reds.
Guardiola has enjoyed trophy-laden success with Barcelona and Bayern Munich and is regarded by many as one of the greatest managers in the world.
However, Klopp's results against him have been as good as anyone's with four victories - albeit three in cup competitions - in eight meetings during their time in the Bundesliga.
"We know everything about how Pep played with Bayern but that is not important any more because it is different players and different systems," said the Liverpool manager.
"We are a different team so at this moment both sides cannot be sure which idea the other team has.
"It is not that we have a look back at the last few games against Pep Guardiola because our teams don't play each other.
"In Holland it was Johan Cruyff and Total Football. He (Guardiola) was very nearly perfect with Barcelona, he had a big influence with Bayern and changed their style completely.
"He is an outstanding manager, 100 per cent. I am not interested too much in giving things a name but you can see on the pitch he is an influential manager.
"He has a clear idea and a pretty much good idea. He has had a fantastic career until now.
"He had a nice style with Barcelona and was really good with Bayern and now he is at City and he is there to be successful and not to show how good he is.
"That is how we all are. We want to help our team.
"He is very influential but the Barcelona style is not possible for each team to play. It depends a lot on the players you have.
"If a Sunday morning team tried to play like Barcelona it would be pretty difficult.
"You always adapt to your players and that is what he is doing and it is what we do."
Neither Philippe Coutinho or Joel Matip (both ankle injuries) will be available for the match, which is expected to be an entertaining game with Liverpool the Premier League's highest scorers and City joint-second.
"If I didn't sit on the bench I would buy a ticket for this game, 100 per cent," added Klopp.
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