Liverpool are simply the best team in the world right now.

Jurgen Klopp's side look unbeatable, winning 25 of their 26 games in the Premier League on course to their first league title in 30 years.

The Reds will also be heavy favourites to retain their Champions League crown, especially with their domestic success set to be tied up in March.

But before the title is sewn up, Liverpool will have to see off Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid side, with the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Wanda Metropolitano tonight.

The Spanish side have endured a torrid season at times, but the defensive grit and stability that has made them one of Europe's footballing powerhouses could resurface for such a big game.

Midfield is where the battle will likely be won or lost. If Liverpool's trio gain the upper hand and outwork their rivals, Atletico's defence will face the full wrath of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino's brilliance.

Atletico's Saul Niguez is more than aware of the weaponry in Liverpool's midfield arsenal, most notably their seemingly endless supply of energy.

The Spaniard has labelled the Reds as 'hunting dogs', saying they 'don't do things that are normal'.

“They have those perros de presa [hunting dogs] in the middle who run, press," Saul said, per Goal.

“It’s not just running for the sake of running: they do things that aren’t normal and it looks disordered but it’s ordered, mechanised."

Praise of the highest order and it's certainly merited.

Every single time you watch Liverpool, you never see their midfield out fought or out worked.

Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, Naby Keita, James Milner and Fabinho - who ever is starting - all excel on the ball as well, rarely wasting a pass.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez's record is in part down to their own pragmatic brilliance, but the 'hunting dogs' in front of them provide the platform for that excellence to thrive.

It's simple really, Klopp has built one of the most complete teams in football history.