Jurgen Klopp spoke to reporters at Melwood ahead of Liverpool's visit of the Etihad to face champions Manchester City.
The Reds are at the top of the table, seven points ahead of Pep Guardiola's side heading in to the clash on Thursday, with victory a huge step in the hunt for the Premier League title.
Klopp's side have impressed so far this season and their recent form has propelled them to becoming odds-on favourites for the league title.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their first 20 Premier League fixtures, whilst the home side endured their first three defeats of the season last month, to Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Leicester City.
Thursday's meeting has been billed as the biggest of the campaign so far but Klopp has attempted to downplay the importance of the fixture, claiming: “It's a 'normal' game against Manchester City, a very difficult one.
“It's one of the most difficult games you can play in the modern football world. We have felt that plenty of times. They are a really strong football team with an outstanding manager. We have to be prepared as well as possible.
“We have to be brave, we have to be full of desire, angry again, all that stuff – like in all the other games – but with the knowledge that the opponent is, for me, still the best team in the world.
“I said it weeks ago because it's 100 per cent my opinion; the way they play and all the things they have achieved and the things they will achieve. Nothing changed, only the points changed, but not the preparation for the game.”
The manager also provided a fitness update on James Milner, who has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury of late: “He was back in training with us yesterday for the first time, so we will see.”
Klopp also went in to detail about his squad, claiming "it feels different" ever since they reached the Champions League final last season.
Image: Getty Images
“I see their attitude, in the right mood and all that stuff, in the games and in the training sessions,” he added.
“We are all individuals but there's nothing to talk about in the case of something going in the wrong direction.
“But results and performances give confidence, that's how it is, and we've had results and really good performances.
“And the boys have the quality. I always said, as long as we mix up our potential with attitude, it will be quality.
“That's how it is and that's what the boys showed so far and what we have to do again.
Image: Getty Images
“We finally got rid of the ‘backpack' when we reached the Champions League final. We didn't win it, yes, but not 20 teams in the past have reached the Champions League final.
“That was the moment when the boys did something really special, we didn't win it but the ride there was unbelievable. Since then it feels different, that's true.”
Man City vs Liverpool kicks off at 8pm on Thursday night and you can keep up with all the action via LFC Globe's live match-day coverage.