Jurgen Klopp offered a cheeky response to Pep Guardiola “spying” suggestions

Liverpool have been enjoying a great season so far, and have the chance to end 2016 on a high note when they welcome Manchester City to Anfield on New Year's Eve.

Victory will make sure the Reds go into the New Year second in the Premier League, after they came from behind to beat Stoke City 4-1 on Tuesday night. City manager Pep Guardiola was in the audience as Roberto Firmino scored the pick of the goals, but the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was keeping a low profile. https://twitter.com/ArifOnVita/status/813837338916757506 It's nothing out of the ordinary for a manager to take a look at his team's upcoming opponents, but that didn't stop the words 'spying mission' being used. Perhaps it was down to Pep looking like he'd wandered in from a John le Carré adaptation. Regardless, Jurgen Klopp was quizzed about the presence of the Catalan coach in the crowd, and he had his usual soundbite-friendly response at hand. "I respect them a lot, but I have not been to City's stadium this season or last to watch games," Klopp said.

"Maybe they want to watch good football, maybe Pep saw nothing tonight?"

Liverpool have won their last three home Premier League games against City, who haven't won at Anfield since former Reds striker Nicolas Anelka scored a last-minute winner in May 2003.