Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claims he “really loves” the squad Mikel Arteta is building at Arsenal.
The Gunners suffered a 3-1 Premier League defeat by the Reds on Monday night, their first loss of the new campaign.
Alexandre Lacazette put Arsenal ahead midway through the first half before Liverpool hit back with quick goals from Sadio Mane and Andrew Robertson, new signing Diogo Jota adding a late third.
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Arsenal face Liverpool again on Thursday night as they clash in the Carabao Cup with both managers likely to freshen up their team.
Speaking in his matchday column ahead of the match, Klopp said: “Tonight will be hard – super hard. Again, without sounding like an Arsenal fan, I really love their squad and I love what they do at the moment.
“But I love us more. I love what we do. I love what we stand for and how we approach our work. I love the humility of our approach and our commitment to be better in each given moment.”
Liverpool beat Arsenal in the same round last season on penalties after both sides produced a wonderful spectacle as they drew 5-5 in normal time.
Klopp added: “Last season in the same competition we produced a game that will be spoken about for a long time, I’m sure.
“I know as a coach you are supposed to be, what is the English phrase, ‘tearing your hair out’ when your team concedes that many goals. But on the night, I Ioved the performance from our boys. I loved our energy and the endeavour.
“It is not a case of treating certain competitions as priorities over others. It’s about managing the situation, the circumstances and the squad.
“I have over 20 players for each match who, in my opinion, are good enough and have earned the right to play. But the rules mean I can only pick 11 to start each time.
“This is the hardest part of management when you are blessed to have such an incredible group of players. It is likely we will make changes this evening but I hate that this is perceived in a way that certain games matter more than others.
“This game tonight matters like you wouldn’t believe. We want to win it with all we have. But the situation and circumstances cannot be ignored.”