Jurgen Klopp: We Knew Arsenal Were Good, Now We Felt It

Klopp gives Arsenal his respect…

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admitted Saturday’s encounter confirmed his assessment that Arsenal are a force to be reckoned with after an intense 1-1 draw at Anfield, he told beIN Sports.

Mikel Arteta saw his side go toe-to-toe with Liverpool at Anfield and produce a performance not seen by an Arsenal side in that arena for more than a decade.

The Reds were limited to very few clear chances despite our front-foot style of play with a draw ultimately a fair result – one that saw us top the Premier League table at Christmas once again.

An assertive start from the visitors saw Gabriel hand us the lead inside five minutes, heading home a free-kick whipped in by Martin Odegaard.

The lead didn’t last long, with Mohamed Salah equalising midway through the first-half after a series of poor defensive choices made by Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Both sides then went at it, looking for the winner until the final seconds with the expressions on both manager’s faces at full-time summing up the pulsating affair.

“We lost a bit control in the game, obviously they are just too good,” Klopp was quoted as saying.

“Arsenal are a top side. We knew it before, now we feel it more.

“They’ve made a real step since last year and that’s clear. They had a better start in the game.”

The two sides will get even familiar with each other in the coming weeks as an FA Cup third round tie looms in early January at the Emirates Stadium before Klopp takes his side to north London for another Premier League fixture.