Champions League news conferences - Klopp and Guardiola

It is a week later than planned but am hearing the Premier League will release the December fixture schedule this afternoon.

This will include the three rounds of matches around Christmas, plus the midweek games on 30 November and 1 and 2 December.

The delay has been to try and ensure clubs have a similar timespan between matches.

Klopp on Curtis Jones:

"Unfortunately Curtis was with us just for warming up and will be in Liverpool to hopefully make the final steps to full training.

"He's still in individual training and we've decided to leave him here to continue that, then hopefully he's ready for Manchester United."

Klopp was asked about to what extent he expects unique players like Virgil van Dijk to execute the idea of the football he wants Liverpool to play:

"We need all of our players to play the football, we didn't know exactly the kind of football before we had all of the players together, there was always a basic idea there but the better the players get the better the football is.

"I understand why you ask abut Virgil because he is an exceptional player, for me the best centre-half in the world for sure but we couldn't play the football we wanted last year. Not only because Virgil was injured, but we had no Joel Matip, no Joe Gomez and Ibrahim Konate was not here yet, so we had to find a solution with the young centre-halves who did an incredible job.

"So, we came third at the end of the season and in moments we played the football that we wanted to play, but the football you play depends massively on the players that you have on the pitch and Virgil would help each team in the world.

"Thank god he is with us."

Jurgen Klopp says beating Atletico Madrid will "probably" hand his side a place in the last 16.

"Win both games against Atletico and it's clear you will probably go through," said Klopp.

"We lost both games the last time against them. I'm a positive person but I'm not that positive to think we have these games in our pockets.

"The last one we played was an outstanding match but we lost in one of the strangest games I've ever been involved in. Hopefully, we can learn from those games even though they have changed a lot since then.

"They have changed players and system so we face a different animal, but not a weaker one. The core are still together, and have been for a while, and they know how to win football games."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said his criticism of Atletico Madrid after his side's Champions League exit before lockdown in 2020 was because of a combination of reasons.

"After the second game I was angry and disappointed about a lot of things," said Klopp. "Life a bit as well as things can go wrong in the world at that moment. We played against a team full of world class players and they defended with all they have.

"Diego Simeone is doing everything right, he is the Spanish champion and he has been at Atletico for a long time. He keeps them on their toes and they fight for all their lives. I couldn't respect it more.

"Do I like it? Not too much.

"But that's because I like a different style of football. It just has to be successful and that is what Atletico is for sure. They have changed the system and brought some players back. They have done an impressive job with signings and look like a proper team. They could be the champions again."

Jurgen Klopp asked about Liverpool's good away record scoring three or more goals in the last six matches and what it's down to:

"Didn't really think about it, the performance, the opponent, and the story of the match I can say it like this probably.

"It's never easy, we really don't think about it, if you would tell me I wouldn't know it, where we score the goals, when we score the goals but we never made a big difference between away and home games.

"We enjoy it more at home it's true because we are in our dressing room, our stadium with our people around but now it's Atletico and scoring three goals doesn't sound too likely now but it's not about that, we want a positive result and a positive performance."

Asked if Mohamed Salah can win the Ballon d'Or, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said: "Yes.

"I have no idea how you win the Ballon d'Or. If it's about being in the Champions League final and scoring the most goals, it may be difficult, but if it's on the form of the last two years, then he has a chance. Internally he always got the recognition, externally I don't know.

"After the two goals he has scored people, all of a sudden, think he could be[ the best in the world]. He has scored like this before and has performed on the highest level for many years. He will do it again and again. Whatever you want to write about him, do it, he deserves it, but now we prepare for Atletico."

Time to hear from the boss.

Here's Jurgen Klopp...

Virgil van Dijk on if the defeat to Atletico last year will motivate his side:

"We don't need any extra motivation, we play in the Champions League the most prestigious cup in Europe. The boys worked hard for it last year to make sure we play in the Champions League.

"We just want to go out there and show our qualities and the only thing we can use from the game last time is to analyse them.

"We know how tough it's going to be and we have to be very good to get a good result, we're looking forward to it."

Speaking about Liverpool's recent form, defender Virgil van Dijk said: "The results have been positive and it's what we all hoped for. But if you look at the games there are still a lot of improvement we want to make. That will be the same tomorrow. We have to be at our best to get a good result. So enjoy the moment but don't take it for granted."

On Mohamed Salah's importance: "We know what he is capable of and I think he has been showing it for a longer period. It's not as if people have just startedt alking about it. His numbers speak for themselves. He is a fantastic player. We have such a great team.

"Sadio [Mane] also scored his 100th Premier League goal which we should talk about a bit more as well because it's not normal. And Bobby [Firmino] scores a hat-trick.

"We have a group of boys who give everything for each other, and to see them shining, is satisfying. We all have a job to do and everyone knows their responsibilities."

Virgil van Dijk is asked if Mohamed Salah is the best player in the world and his chances of winning the Ballond'Or:

"He's doing pretty well at the moment, let's say it in that way.

"He's an amazing football player, he's been showing it for the last couple of seasons consistently, the numbers speak for itself so I can say we are very very happy that he is in the form that he is in.

"He's definitely up there, it's everyone's opinion, we as players also know that one week you can be one of the best in the world and the next people can bring you down.

"We know the difficulties he can bring opponents and he's doing it pretty well."

Now then, time to head west and hear from Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and boss Jurgen Klopp...

With Jack Grealish experiencing European football for the first time this season, Man City boss Pep Guardiola said: "We spoke about that and what he has to live when he is not here, in terms of eating, resting and sleeping.

"What he has done so far is excellent, apart from Burnley he has played every game at a good level and I'm sure he will improve. As a manager, you have to know the best position, but he has played very well.

"He is focussed on and off the pitch and he is strong, his weight and body fat is perfect and he is mentally is in the right position. It is the first time he plays every three days. We play every three days for 11 months and it's difficult but it is a good challenge for him."

Asked why he signed Grealish, Guardiola said: "The quality in the final third. He is able to attract opponents and find his mates.

"We have many players but we added another one because we have a lot of games in many competitions. He is at a perfect age and when you are on top in those competitions, the squad must be removed a little bit otherwise it is difficult.

"Everyone has to feel the pressure from the new ones, and the news ones have to understand what the club has done. All the big clubs do it."

Speaking about the development of academy graduate Cole Palmer, Man City boss Pep Guardiola said: "Step by step.

"But he has already trained with us for two seasons. He understands the dynamic and how we want to play. He has extended his contract because we believe a lot in him, we know his attributes.

"He has all the potential to play. For the young lads it's training with us and then going to perform for the second team. He is a guy who has a central role and he is clinical. We are happy to have him and he is growing in every training session as a football player."

Pep Guardiola on the improvement of Rodri:

"The seasons are so long, there are highs and lows.

"For a holding midfielder has to be steady, seven or eight our of 10.

"He's learning, always paying attention and realised what we're looking for.

"We are more than satisfied. We knew it when we wanted him from Atletico. He's growing, hopefully he can be better, open his mind to understand what we have to do. He has a margin to be a batter player."

Guardiola on vaccination issues:

"It's private, The club knows and players know. I have my own opinions, I trust the doctors and scientists.

"If they say it's the best way to protect the people, myself and my family have done it.

"The doctors will talk with the players individually and they decide. If the doctors around the world say it's the best way to eradicate it.

"We see in England how many deaths and people are still suffering.

"We have to move forward, use the masks, use the vaccines for better for society."

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Club Bruges are a "top side."

"What we have seen is physicality and they know what they have to do. They have a lot of quality up front. We go there, we have four games left and 12 points to fight for to qualify for the last 16.

"This is the target and our mentality will be the same. We want to make them adjust and control the game with how we play."

Pep Guardiola on Ederson Gabriel Jesus and any protocols ahead of game:

"We see the protocols, they couldn't land here unless they isolate ten days. We will join them in the hotel and tomorrow they will do preparation, maybe play, maybe not and then come back to tomorrow.

"I'm sure they will feel good because they recovered really well, they will train there and we will see tonight how they feel."

Time to hear from Manchester boss Pep Guardiola...