'I love this!': Klopp on Reds' Arsenal and United double-header

The Reds play host to the table-topping Gunners in front of the Kop this evening before going head-to-head with their Old Trafford rivals on​ Sunday.

Asked if this was the type of double-header he relished as a manager, Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood: “Yes, I love this. I really love it, but that does not mean I don’t like all of the other games!

“But a week like this, it’s not one where you have to say to the players, ‘Come on, be concentrated’ and things like this. Everybody is in the race, everybody is fully focused on these games and that’s cool.

“I’ll enjoy the work this week and hopefully I can enjoy the games!”

Arsenal will arrive into L4 this evening two points clear at the Barclays Premier League summit having emerged victorious from five of their last six outings in the division.

Klopp is well aware his Liverpool side will need to be operating at their best in order to clinch maximum​ points and has outlined what he feels could be key to t​he Reds achieving their aim.

“I think it’s a clear style that Arsenal play, so it’s not the most complicated build up – they usually leave the first ball for Petr Cech and then they fight for the second ball, then they start the football machine and want to play football,” he ​explained.

“You should defend the first ball, try to get the second ball and if not, you have to play pressing in midfield where the ball is. That’s what we know and to avoid counter-attacks, the best thing to do is to finish your own offensive situations always.

“Of course, not all of these situations will be goals but you need the finishing of these situations. If not, then counter-pressing is a good thing to do, it’s the shortest way to defend, and that’s what we should try.

“We need good organisation for this, we need a clear idea and in our own game, we need a clear direction – that’s the most important thing.

“Playing football at its best, that’s what you have to do against Arsenal. You cannot get a point or win against Arsenal with an average performance, you need your best performance and if you can bring this onto the pitch then it is at minimum, exciting!”

Once tonight’s encounter with Arsenal is done and dusted, Liverpool’s attentions will turn to the weekend and the ​tussle ​with United.

Klopp is well aware of the significance of the fixture, but was eager to stress nobody within the Reds camp was thinking beyond the Gunners – least of all himself.

“Of course I know a lot about these games - it is very special and I am looking forward to it, but it’s not possible to be fully focused on one game and then be focused on another,” he stated.

“That doesn’t work, so I can’t say too much – we have to talk about it after Arsenal with the feeling from that game.

“For sure, it will be very special for me and my first derby. I was not here when we played against Everton. We’ve played against City, yes, but I know about the difference between City and United. It’s a cool thing and I am looking forward to it.”

While Klopp is in no doubt about the difficulty of the next two fixtures, he does believe Liverpool could have one advantage over their opponents – the Anfield crowd.

And the German believes a collective effort between his team and supporters can yield positive results.

Klopp said: “[The fans will be] very important, very important – but that’s not the first time I’ve said this.

“I don’t want to make it too big and my English is not good enough to explain it, but for me if you are in a club together with the supporters then you should be if not as a family then as a group of best friends, and for this everybody has to play their role, do their job and all these things.

“We can’t do what we have to do in the best way without the supporters, I think everybody knows this. But then in the other way, we know what we have to do and then it is easier for them to give us support during a game.

“I hope they are looking forward to these games too, that they don’t get nervous if we are not 4-0 in the lead after five minutes, and that we are all ready for a fight, a big challenge and really good and interesting football games.

“If everybody plays their role at best then I think we can win.”