Jurgen Klopp feels that faltering Manchester United poses a major threat to his title-chasing Liverpool team.
The names were repeated one by one, and their numerous virtues were lauded. Jurgen Klopp spoke more favourably about an old foe in four straight minutes than some of their fans have all season, going from the "world class" number one to the "man who just scored his 60th hat-trick."
'We don't face teams with difficulties,' Klopp said. 'We're playing Manchester United.' Playing with your mind? That conclusion would have been simple to reach. But then you realized that Klopp is not the type of man who engages in psychological battles before a major game, and the point he was trying to make became clear.
United may be a weak ghost of the club and team that have set the bar for so long, and if they play as anaemic as they did on their last visit to Merseyside 10 days ago – losing 1-0 to Everton – Liverpool will not pass up the opportunity to smash them.
This, though, is a curious juncture in the season when anything can happen; it is also the fixture that has caused Liverpool problems. United have historically dominated these games, winning more at Anfield in the Premier League era (12) than Liverpool (10).
True, Klopp has only fallen once at Anfield to United - his 1st meeting in Jan 2016, when Wayne Rooney scored - but there is always the possibility of that changing, and an away win would have significant ramifications.
That's why Klopp was so meticulous in emphasizing the possibility for danger.
'If I look at the players that could play, the goalkeeper (David De Gea) is world class,' Klopp said. ' The last line (defense) is absolutely top, and I'm not sure if McTominay and Fred can play in midfield. Pogba and Matic might be involved! Pogba will play through you and behind you if you let him!
'Then there's Sancho, Fernandes, Elanga, Rashford... and a dude who scored his 60th hat-trick.' I'm not certain if Cavani will be ready, but that's the team we're up against. That is what we must prepare for, not what occurred last week or something like.'
Those who are more familiar with the game's history than Klopp will recall how things went when the positions were reversed, when United travelled to Anfield in April 1992 looking to win the title but crumbled after Ian Rush and Mark Walters scored more goals for a Liverpool club in decline.
Nothing can be considered as lightly in these situations, and the fact that Liverpool travel here after an emotionally draining trip to Wembley could leave them vulnerable to a United side that has been handed a second chance at Champions League qualifying.
'If we just let United do what they want, they will cause us huge issues,' Klopp remarked. 'We have to be in the right mentality, the people have to be in the right spirit to genuinely battle for the three points and not want to show we are in a better time than United.' Who's interested in that?
'There are occasions once you have better moments than other teams (but) then you receive a knock and the better moment is gone.' What does it matter? This time, both teams are battling for a spot in the Champions League next season, so the stakes are high.
'It's a difficult one. United won their most recent game (against Norwich), and the results of the previous games (for Arsenal, West Ham, and Tottenham) have reopened the door for them. Without a doubt, they will go for it. It'll be a long 90 minutes.'
Ronaldo, whose Premier League goals have earned United 13 points, will undoubtedly be motivated to outperform Mohamed Salah, who has gone nearly two months without scoring from open play.
It's a long cry from when the teams met at Old Trafford last October, when Salah scored a hat-trick and was on a 10-game scoring streak. Is Klopp concerned by what he sees? Not even a smidgeononononononononononononon Everything he saw at Wembley, if anything, encouraged him.
'It's a very natural time that Mo is going through,' Klopp explained.
'We've talked about all of the physical difficulties he's had to deal with in the last few months, so it's entirely normal.' I really enjoyed the game versus City; it was a really terrific football game, and it's only a matter of time before he scores as well.
'He was unlucky in a few of occasions, and we all know that as a striker, if you don't have luck, you don't even try.'
'It was close enough for a couple of times now. 'The time will undoubtedly come.'
With so much riding on the outcome, Klopp would be considerably happy if that moment came on Tuesday.
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