Klopp: Reds must be 100% ready for Man City clash despite intense schedule

Jurgen Klopp insists the Reds' intense schedule is no excuse as they must be ready for this weekend's crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City.

Liverpool looked jaded all over the pitch during their 1-0 Champions League defeat against Napoli on Wednesday, a performance which was equally as concerning as it was disappointing.

The Reds have played six matches in just under three weeks during a busy period in their fixture list and it has been telling on a squad that has been barely rotated.

They are due to play their seventh against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday as they look for their first win in four games.

Speaking ahead of the top-of-the-table clash, Klopp insisted that the Reds must make sure they are ready despite it proving to be a tough game.

“There are no excuses. But it is a tough game, absolutely,” said Klopp.

“It is absolutely intense since the last international break. We cannot change that so we have to make sure we are ready.

“We don’t have to think about intensity. We have three days to recover and then we will face Man City.

“It would’ve been difficult any way at any time of the season, it is always difficult, but let’s have a look how the players are after the game and then we will prepare.

“Then we have our crowd at our backs. You could see Napoli used the atmosphere and we couldn’t calm it down, but on Sunday it will be 100 per cent different.”

Should the Reds win on Sunday, they will head into the international break at the top of the table, which will surely be a huge boost to those at the club.