Jurgen Klopp responds to drama following Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool claim

Jurgen Klopp says he has no issues with Trent Alexander-Arnold's recent comments that have seemingly irked several Manchester City players ahead of Sunday's clash. 

In a recent interview, Alexander-Arnold had suggested that the trophies the Reds have won in recent years perhaps mean more to Liverpool supporters than the trophies Manchester City have won mean to their fans.

"You’re up against a machine that’s built to win – that’s the simplest way to describe City and their organisation," Alexander-Arnold told FourFourTwo.

"Looking back on this era, although they’ve won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fanbase because of the situations at both clubs, financially.

"How both clubs have built their teams and the manner in which we’ve done it probably means more to our fans."

The Man City duo of Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias both aimed digs at Alexander-Arnold after being asked about his comments, with the former claiming that Alexander-Arnold doesn't "know exactly the feeling" of winning a treble.

The Liverpool right-back's words have irritated Man City players and supporters on social media, but Klopp has no issues with what Alexander-Arnold said, stating that he has nothing but respect for the current Premier League champions.

"I had a few people who spoke to me about it and told me what I should say or not say, I said 'You have to wait until I answer'." joked Klopp in his pre-match press conference.

"I'm not sure how often in this club we have to say that we respect our opponent, in this case City, and mean it. Pep [Guardiola] is the best manager in the world. I have had a really good life without being even close to that [the best manager]. It's absolutely fine, believe me.

"They have incredible players. In the moment, they have probably the best No.9 in Haaland, scores like he wants. Kevin De Bruyne will go down in history, the question will be 'Was it Steven Gerrard or De Bruyne [the best ever midfielder in the Premier League]?'

"Phil Foden, the best English player at the moment probably. We all respect that, and Trent respects that.

"But he's born in Liverpool. He played all through the youth teams. What would you think in that situation?"

Klopp added: "One of our slogans is 'This Means More', and it means more to us. We have no clue what it means to other people. But what happens here means more to us.

"Two years ago we had a parade after winning the League Cup and FA Cup, but losing the Champions League final the night before and losing the league by a point. Tell me a city where you have a parade and it looks like we won all these trophies.

"The club is special to us. It's not special to other people, we cannot change that. I'm not really interested. It's just how he [Trent] feels and how we feel, and I have no problem with that. I'm pretty sure Trent told his respect [of Man City] as well."

"In the last decade, Man City is the most successful football club in England, and maybe Europe. It's ridiculous the record they have. Ridiculous.

"It means a lot to their people I'm sure. But for us, maybe it's the fact that we didn't win that many. We are not in the situation of winning five league titles in a row."

He concluded: "So, nothing wrong with what Trent said to be honest, in my opinion."

Klopp is right to dismiss the narrative surrounding Alexander-Arnold's comments, but the defender's words may add a little extra heat to what will be a fiery clash on Sunday.

Liverpool know defeat will see Man City leapfrog them in the Premier League table, while Arsenal will also be watching what happens at Anfield with great interest.