Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City fear Liverpool’s height advantage at set pieces ahead of Sunday’s potential title decider.
City can go four points clear of their closest rivals with victory but equally can lose top spot if Jurgen Klopp’s side win at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola has seen improvement in his team’s set plays after former Under 18s boss Carlos Vicens took over responsibility for corners and free kicks last summer but is wary of Liverpool’s threat.
‘We know we are going to defend part of the game and sit back,’ Guardiola said. ‘They are a real threat from corners, they have good takers and with the movement they are there.
‘Today we will talk about it and see if we have to adjust something from corners. They are taller than us and we have to accept it.
‘It’s fascinating, in this situation - we are fighting to be champions - and hopefully our people will come back up. I’m sure our people will respond, they are ready to face it.’
Klopp had labelled Guardiola the best manager in world football earlier in the day, with the City manager consistently effusive in his praise for the German.
Guardiola joked that Klopp would only be invited for a glass of red wine if City win and knocked back any adulation.
‘Jurgen has been the biggest rival I’ve ever had in my career,’ he added. ‘I didn’t become a manager to be the best. I’m not. I would like to tell him I’m the best, but I’m not.
‘If we had success it is because of my staff, incredible teams, a lot of money, like our opponents like to hear, and a lot of work and a lot of talented players. Still I have the process of learning, and I became a manager to be on the pitch.’
City remain without central defender Ruben Dias, who is not fit for the title clash.