Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp declared Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is unquestionably "the best coach in the world" as he heaped praise on his arch-rival in the Premier League title race.
Just one point separates City and the Reds at the top of the table ahead of this Sunday's mammoth encounter at the Etihad. Guardiola's side can extend their lead to a commanding four points with victory but their visitors are brimming with confidence after 10 consecutive league wins.
The Spaniard and his counterpart are widely regarded as two of the greatest active managers thanks to their remarkable, trophy-laden careers. However, Klopp suggested he does not view himself on the same level as Guardiola by claiming nobody can "doubt" the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss.
"Pep is the best coach in the world and we all would agree on that," the German said. "If anybody doubts him, I have no idea how that could happen." Many fans will view Klopp's comments as an attempt to heap pressure on City by making them favourites ahead of the showdown this weekend.
That being said, Liverpool have the advantage when it comes to injuries as they are expected to make the short trip to Manchester with a clean bill of health. Midfield stalwart Fabinho has recovered from a minor cut he sustained against Benfica on Tuesday to leave Klopp with no absent players.
"When I looked last time on my smart phone, it looked like everyone is available again," the Reds boss said. Guardiola, meanwhile, has a near-full-strength squad at his disposal but Ruben Dias appears unlikely to feature against Liverpool.
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The centre-back has been absent since early March with a thigh injury and his manager insisted he would not be rushed back to action. "The doctor said the position when he got injured is so risky, we have to be careful," Guardiola said of Dias at the start of April.
"It's much better to go to six [weeks] than four. We won't take a risk on him. If he went down, he'd be out for the season." While Liverpool come into the match on the back of an imperious run of 10 league wins in a row, City have dropped points in three of their last eight games.
The defending champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton in January and lost 3-2 at home to Tottenham in February. In mid-March, a goalless draw at Crystal Palace cut their lead at the top even further.
