Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp has said Premier League rivals Arsenal have become stronger and difficult to play against.
Liverpool host the Gunners on Saturday.
Klopp said: “I thought they looked like that last year, to be honest, then some results kicked in or whatever, I don’t know exactly the reasons.
“I remember our game here, they were outstanding until we found a way into the game – and then maybe in the end we should have won it. Maybe they had other chances as well, I can’t remember them, to be honest, but I can remember Ibou Konate at 2-2 with the chest half a yard in front of the goal… I am still wondering how he couldn’t score there. That was the team we faced, a super-strong team.
“That’s what they are – and you bring in Rice and Havertz and that doesn’t make you worse. Raya in goal doesn’t make you worse. Mikel built exactly the team he wanted and they are difficult to play. They are a good mix between physicality, like big, strong players, fast, good technique, very good organisation, they are really well-coached, well-drilled. You can see every year they make another step.
“They really have my respect but we want the points anyway.”