Jurgen Klopp has downplayed Liverpool's tag as favourites when they meet Arsenal on Saturday evening and insisted Unai Emery's side will not come to Anfield just to lay down and die.
Liverpool currently sit top of the Premier League and opened up a six-point gap after trouncing Newcastle 4-0 on Boxing Day, while Arsenal have allowed some inconsistency creep into their game in recent weeks after only managing to draw with Brighton.
The timing of this fixtures weighs heavy in favour of Klopp's Liverpool and Emery appeared to try and play into that by suggesting they could go the remainder of the season without tasting defeat ahead of the weekend's clash.
However, Klopp rejected claims that his opposite number was trying to play mind games, saying: 'Was the question for Unai Emery, 'Do you think Liverpool can go unbeaten?' Is that a normal answer then?'.
'That's not how I know Unai Emery (taking pressure off his team). I don't think that the white flag has been raised, it will be a tough game tomorrow night. They are good and that is all I am interested in. We are focused on ourselves.
'We were not as good as we can be defending-wise. I think it was in the period of the Napoli game when we didn't do too well. We needed this couple of weeks for adjusting a few things. We did that.'
The German highlighted Arsenal's biggest threat as the Premier League's top goalscorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and his strike partner Alexandre Lacazette -and expects a difficult afternoon trying to handle those two.
He added: 'They are good, strong with the ball and very lively. Their counter-attacks are crazy-quick. Aubameyang and [Alexandre] Lacazette are a good strike two. Outstanding strikers up front, quick on the wings, a really good team.'
One player who will represent danger for Arsenal down the other end of the pitch is Xherdan Shaqiri.
The in-form winger has enforced a way into the starting XI with game-changing performances and Klopp has admitted that getting the Swiss international on the ball has been essential to their success in recent weeks.
'He's good, good, good. A little more adapting to our style of football. When Shaq gets the ball everyone starts running because they expect the ball in behind.
'It's really fantastic and there's a lot more to come. We're in constant talks as to where he can still improve his game but with the ball he's doing brilliant things.'
SINGAM23
57
Not so fast, Gunners... its only halfway into the precious EPL season
Biyimoprsu
53
Man u fans will look up to liverpool to beat arsenal to reduce d top 4 point