Jurgen Klopp faces his biggest challenge of the season so far as he makes the trip to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.It seems crazy to think that Liverpool would feel vaguely threatened by the arrival of the Gunners when they have wiped the floor with them so often, but the clubs have hitherto experienced very different fortunes this season.While Klopp's men seem stuck in second gear with just two wins from their opening seven Premier League games, Arsenal are setting the pace above Manchester City with an almost-perfect record.

Liverpool's huge clash with Arsenal

As such, there's legitimate debate as to whether or not Mikel Arteta's side can nab all three points against the Anfield club and duly establish themselves as genuine title contenders in the process.

Now, obviously, things won't be quite that easy for Arsenal as they have typically struggled against the Merseysiders in recent years and this weekend's game marks the perfect moment for Liverpool to truly jumpstart their season.

Nevertheless, you only needed to watch Klopp's pre-match press conference to get a feeling for just much reverence is brewing amongst Premier League clubs for what Arsenal are achieving right now.

Klopp's speech praising Arsenal player-by-player

That's because the Reds boss produced a remarkable speech on his upcoming opponents when asked the question: "Are they [Arsenal] now effectively the real deal in terms of the title race this season?"

Praising the overall project at the Emirates before providing a player-by-player breakdown stuffed with compliments, it really was an admirably honest and fair assessment from the German coach.

Immediately engrossed in the question, Klopp proceeded to eulogise: "All my respect to them, wow, really, really good job.

“It’s like this when you need some time, nobody wants to give you time, and maybe not all of us deserve time. We have lots of respect for him. They have lots of talent in the last few years.

"Martinelli, I was very excited about him early on and he has become the player I expected him to be.

Video: Klopp in awe of the job Arteta has done at Arsenal

“Martin Odegaard, I spoke to him when he was 15 in Norway and the whole world wanted him and he decided on Real Madrid. I remember it like it was yesterday, I sat round a table with him and his dad. After a few difficult years, he’s become the player everybody expected.

“Saka since the first day he was playing, incredible and Gabriel Jesus, if anyone knew how he could be outside Manchester City it was Mikel, the same with Zinchenko, while Xhaka has come back.

“Thomas Partey, everybody knew how good he was with Atletico Madrid and then they found a way to defend. It’s a young team, a really exciting team, and they’re doing well. We will try to cause them problems so I’m looking forward to it.”

Arsenal's Arteta and Jesus.

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Is Klopp playing mind games?

Goodness, well, you can hardly accuse Klopp of not showing respect to his opponents.

Now, the cynics amongst you might well suspect that the Liverpool boss is playing mind games and merely buttering up the Gunners, luring them into a false sense of security.

But while all the flattery might well have that impact and be seen by some as condescension, there's good reason to believe that Klopp's opinions were authentically held based on his tone and demeanour.

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The simple fact of the matter is that Arsenal truly are flying this season and that their first-choice XI, in particular, is up to its ears with players amongst the very best in the Premier League.

However, the questions surrounding whether or not they have the mettle and gumption to go all the way continue to linger and they could well be answered for all to see in north London on Sunday...

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