In fullJürgen Klopp's Arsenal programme notes: 'Let's show our best face'

Ahead of the Anfield showdown, the Liverpool boss assesses his side’s recent form and discusses what will be needed for the Reds to secure a positive result against the Gunners.

Klopp also reflects on a poignant time of the year, with the club to mark the forthcoming 34th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy this afternoon.

“Good afternoon and welcome to our home game against Arsenal, a fixture which comes on the back of the ‘small step’ we took away to Chelsea in midweek and one in which we need to show even more of the fight that we displayed at Stamford Bridge,” writes the manager.

• Order a copy of the matchday programme online here

“I mention small steps, even though I know it is not necessarily what people want to hear, because it is clear that they are exactly what we require right now. The truth is that with each one we take we will move closer to getting back to the kind of team that we want to be and the results will follow. We might not want to be in this situation but we are, so it makes sense that we should deal with it.

“I would like to welcome Mikel Arteta, his players, the Arsenal staff and supporters to Anfield for today’s game and I am sure, given the way the season is going for them – sensational in many ways – they will arrive in good spirits and with high hopes for what the rest of the campaign may bring.

“From my own perspective, I could not be more impressed by what they have done and how they have gone about it. The job that Mikel has done has been outstanding and it is easy to forget now but there was a period when things were not going as well and Mikel stuck to his principles, so it is good to see him now reaping the rewards.

“The journey Arsenal are on is one that we are familiar with, of course. The doubts at the start are pretty normal, I would say, but then you start to see a team develop, a proper team, and the belief starts to grow.

“From there, everything becomes possible when previously so much had seemed unlikely. It takes a lot of hard work, real togetherness and a shared vision for this to happen and although Arsenal are a rival, it would be impossible not to be impressed by what they are doing.

“Today they are our problem and one that we have no option but to take on with total seriousness and respect. The place they occupy in the league table speaks for itself, so we do not need anyone to tell us that we have a proper job on our hands.

“As everyone knows, our form has been too inconsistent this season but today would be a good day to show our very best face. When we do this, especially at Anfield, we always have a chance.

“Our last game here was more than a month ago and it is one that we will never forget. As I said at the time, a 7-0 win over Manchester United is something that we can all look back upon with fondness in the years to come, but the most important thing we can take from it now is the information which explains how a performance like that was possible.

“We have had more defeats to learn from than any of us would like recently, so it makes sense that we should also be educated by the good days. In this case, we have to remember the qualities that allowed us to play as we did and look to repeat them.

“No two games are the same, but if we can do this we will definitely be better prepared than if we don’t.

“With this being our final home game before April 15, we will use this fixture to pay our respects to those who died at Hillsborough as we always do at this time of year.

“It is always a privilege for the players, staff and myself to do this alongside our supporters, although all of us would prefer for it not to be necessary because even after all these years it still makes no sense that 97 people could go to a football match and not come home.

“It also makes no sense that there are still chants relating to tragedies including Hillsborough. This needs to stop. Not because I say so or the police say so or whoever – it needs to stop because the people who continue to suffer – including families of those who died and survivors – tell us how much these songs hurt them. We should listen to them and act accordingly. There is no room for debate.

“On this and all other matters, the families and survivors have our full support and solidarity.”