Jurgen Klopp has hit back at media reports quoting both the Liverpool boss and Man City counterpart Pep Guardiola out of context ahead of the Reds' trip to the Etihad on Sunday.
Ahead of their respective Champions League clashes with Benfica and Atletico Madrid in midweek, the German joked that he couldn't understand January signing Luis Diaz when he offered the lowdown on the Portuguese outfit, while the Spaniard teased how he overthinks big matches ahead of locking horns with Diego Simeone.
Both quotes created headlines, with Klopp being asked himself about his own thinking process heading into big matches off the back of Guardiola 's comments. And the Liverpool boss was quick to set the record straight as he praised the Man City manager and explained his own thought process and preparation ahead of Sunday's match.
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"It was ironic. Do you never realise?" he insisted to reporters. "I heard this week in Ecuador people made a story and said I didn't understand Luis Diaz.
"We really have a responsibility on this planet. If you want to talk to us, then do me a favour and help us. He [Guardiola] said ironically, 'I overthink things.'
"Pep is the best coach in the world. I think we all would agree on that. It might be a coincidence that it didn't work out so far in the Champions League. But the things he won, the football he plays. If anyone doubts him, I have no idea how that could happen.
"We all think a lot, that's the reason why we sometimes make mistakes and sometimes we find out the right things to do. But in football, you know exactly after the game and not before. Try to imagine what could happen, what will help and what can we do which makes us more independent of the opponent.
"It's true, in the end there has to be a stop on information because then the boys have to play. If I couldn't help them enough during the week or during the time we are already together, it will be a shame. Hopefully we are now long enough together and often enough did the right stuff that we are ready to play the best possible game against City. That would be the target."
