Jurgen Klopp is fully aware that Arsenal manager Unai Emery was joking when he declared that he would like never to face Liverpool.
But the Reds boss has admitted that he would love for opposition managers to be scared of taking on his team and is out to build up such a fearsome reputation.
Speaking ahead of the two sides meeting at Anfield on Saturday, Emery said of the hosts: "For us we don't want to play against Liverpool ever. We'd prefer not to play against them."
And, while Klopp acknowledged that his opposite number had tongue lodged firmly in cheek, he likes the idea of playing at an intensity that intimidates opponents.
“He made a joke! We cannot make a serious question of it. But we want to be the team nobody wants to play against," he said.
In Pictures | Liverpool vs Arsenal | 29/12/18
“We want to be too intense, too quick, too strong, too fast, too greedy, too angry. That’s what we want.
“We have to make ourselves ready for the game, and make people think at the end ‘that was too much for us’.”
The last six Premier League meetings between Liverpool and Arsenal have seen an incredible 29 goals shared out by the two teams.
But Klopp expects the Gunners to perhaps adapt their approach this time, as is the case for most visitors to Anfield.
“I wouldn’t expect it, to be honest. Both teams are offence-orientated at least!” he added.
“Arsenal will probably change at least two key positions. Probably Pepe will start, which won't make them weaker, and probably Xhaka as well.
“It happened a lot to us in the last few months, we analyse a team and then they play completely different against us. I am not saying Arsenal will, but it makes life tougher, especially in the early stage of the season.
“I know what they did in the first two games, I know what they did against us last season. And each result that gives us three points, I am happy with! I don’t care how often we score.
“If you look at how they set up, they have good footballers in each position and real speed up front. Real speed, wow! That makes it tricky to defend. You have to be brave, play your own football, keep possession. There are a lot of things to consider in this game.
“But that’s why I am looking forward to it. We have to show we are ready again.”
