Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool have looked 'vulnerable' this season and is wary his side could still be 'screwed' even if they manage to tame Erling Haaland.
Liverpool's worst start to a Premier League campaign under Klopp has been capitalised upon by City, who head to Anfield on Sunday 13 points clear of the Reds in the table. Klopp’s side have won just twice in the league so far this season.
One area Liverpool have looked incredibly vulnerable is at the back. The Reds’ backline has already conceded twice as many goals - 12 - as they did at this stage last season - and Klopp believes his side’s struggles at the back have given their opposition more confidence.
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He said: "For sure teams think there are more chances against us because we have looked vulnerable in moments, that is how it is.
"If you win the last 10 games the opponent is not coming thinking they know how we can do it. It's a normal situation but it's up to us to change that, to close the gaps and close that door again.
"You cannot prepare everything. If you are in a build-up situation everything opens up on the pitch, that is why you should keep the ball there because that is where you are most vulnerable. We cannot change that. We are still Liverpool; we are a dominant football team."
So far this season, Haaland has netted an incredible 15 goals in nine Premier League games following his summer move to the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund. He joined City for just £51m.
Haaland's start to life in Manchester has been more than impressive, but Klopp is not surprised by how well the Norway international has adapted to life in the Premier League.
"I'm not surprised [by Haaland's start to life in the Premier League]," he told Sky Sports.
"It was not the missing link for Manchester City, but it was a position where City could improve, which was not good news for all of us. It's difficult for them to improve but that was the one position where they could, and they did."
All the talk heading into Sunday’s game at Anfield has been about the battle between Haaland and Virgil van Dijk. But Klopp believes his side can not fall into the trap of focusing purely on the forward as City’s other attacking star will shine instead.
"It's not like Haaland will go all the time for Virgil van Dijk, there will be another centre-half there, and he will probably choose that then," the Liverpool boss said.
"If Haaland was alone on the pitch you would still have to defend him, he's absolutely incredible. He's a monster in the best understanding.
"But with exceptional players around him, that's what makes it so special. How they set him up in those moments is really special.
"It's not possible to only mark Haaland and let the rest of Manchester City do what they want. If we do that, then we are screwed as well."
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