Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hopes he and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be friendly at the end of today's clash.

There has been major incidents between the benches in recent games.

But Klopp stated in his match programme notes: "One of the starting points for this is respecting the opposition, something that is not too difficult when the opposition is a City team which has been incredibly successful under Pep Guardiola, a manager who I could not have more respect for and someone who I believe is already a legend of our game, even though he still has so many years ahead of him.

“I have spoken many times of my admiration for Pep. I understand that this is not always easy to understand for those who want to see only a rivalry, but I can speak only as I find and in Pep's case I am more than able to put aside the fact that we are on opposite sides and recognise how much he has brought not just to City but to football as a whole.

“The good news is that up to now we have been able to be respectful at the same time as being competitive. It goes without saying that today he will want to win, and I will want to win just as much, but when the final whistle goes, I hope that we will once again be able to share a handshake and move on whatever the result may be.

“So, I welcome Pep, his staff and players to Anfield knowing that they will be coming here looking to give us a knock. Again, this is the way it should be. As long as we are aware of it and prepared for the challenge that they will bring – and we will be doing everything we possibly can to make sure we are after the trip to Prague – so that we can be the most difficult opponent that City can face."